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ON  THE 


ilMTERNAL  IMPROVEMENl^  CONTEMPLATED  BY 
THE  LEGIbLATURii.  OF 


KORTH-CxlROLmA  3 


ASD  ON  THE 


MESOURCES  SJSTB  FI^JIJ^CES 


OF  THAT  STATE, 


SKSSTED  BT  J   CM3t£3^ 


TO 

)H1V  BRANCH,  KSQUIRE, 

Governor  of  the  State  of  J^orth-Carolina, 

This  Memoir  is  respectfully  inscribed, 
Bjr  his  Friend, 

A.  D.  MURPHEY. 

Nov  ember y  181?, 


FOR  thirty  3'ears  past, lae  climate  and  soil  of  Xorth-Carolins^ 
ii:ivi;  V-vtu  r.iuchr  underrated,  and  at  no  timtrliavehtr  physical 
r.  sources  been  undei-stood.'  She  has  sent  half  a  million  ut' her 
iiih;»!)itants  to  people  the  Wilderness  of  the  West;  and  it  was 
hi  t  UMtii  the  rage  tor  emigration  alxited,  that  the  public  atten- 
tion %vas  directed  to  the  nnprovement  ot  those  advantages,  and 
to  the  appreciation  ot  those  blessings,  which  Providence  has 
flanted  in  abund  snce  within  her  own  bosom.  The  delusion 
i"  laVor  of  new  Countries,  which  has  dr..ined  our  population, 
i-  passing  away;  goo^l  sense  is  fetiirnin;*,  and  we  arc  begin- 
IV. .i;\  S'.rir.usly  to  refl<  ct  how  we  may  make  our  fortunes  AtT^, 
jrs'--art  of  going- to  hunt  for  them  in  a  Wilderness  six  hun- 
d  cd  or  a  thousar.d  miles  distant.  This  good  sense  biing<» 
VKh  it  a  love  for  the  State  ami  a  dtslre  to  honor  her  by  ge- 
nerous eflforts  to  unfold  her  physical  and  trioral  capacitivs — » 
(v.ir  attentixm  has  so  long  been  directed  to  the  country  to  the 
^V<.sr,  that  we  are  astonished  to  find  how  little  v/e  knov/  oi:' 
K  rih-Caroliiia  ;  and  still  more  astonished  to  look  back  and 
»v  e  how  indi^Ftrent  we  have  been  to  procure  information.  .  It 
is  with  sharrTe  we  now  reflect  that  only  a  fev/  vcars  ago,  the: 
General  Assembly  refused  to  aid  two  enterprising  individualR 
to  compile  a  ?Vlap  of  the  Slate;'  and  that  had  i:  not  been  foi* 
the  generous  aid  of  two  Gentlemen,  David  Stone  and  Pete!" 
Browne,  Ksquires,  (to  v^honi  this  Mnp  is  dedicated)  it  would 
not  have  been  compiled,'  It  is  mortifying  to  look  aro!>nd  and 
witness  the  general  ignorance  which  prevails  of  the  resources 
nv.d  character  of  the  State  :  to  see,  both  in  the  Legislature  anr* 
out  of  it,  men  of  respectable  '.mderstandinff,  almost  totally  ig- 
norant of' our  Geographical  Situation,  of  the  state  of  our  Po- 
pulation, our  Finances,  our  Agriculture,  our  Gommerce,  our 
Soil  and  our  Ciiiiiate — We  thank  Heaven  that  a  change  is  tak- 
ing place,  and  that  we  begin  to  he  as  anxious  to  urquire  ?/ 
knowledge  of  our  resources  and  of  our  rapacities  for  improve- 
ment, as  we  iiave  fttretofore  been  intiin'erent,  In  prop'>rtinrv' 
fis  this  knowledge  shall  tjc  acquired,  vvill  ourre';pe/;t  for  N!>rih- 
C;ir  li'.ia  l)e  increased  ;  and  our  resolutions  strengthened  to  rea? 
tp  bcr  prosptrify  and  character  by  a  bold  and  vigorous  sys.' 
titnV  oi  polic)-— -The  ialc  war  first  roused  'ts  to  active  estrtjom* 

A 


The  erithubiubm  wiih  which  that  event  iiibpired  us,  gave  ad- 
iniuanct  to  liberal  ideas.  'I'he  LegisLuui-e  ot"  1815,  ;tv.>i!ed 
thtiTJscives  <>i  this  enthusiasm  to  commence  a  system  oi  p.j  icy^ 
which  hafl  (or  its  o!^ject  the  prosperity  and  greainess  of  the 
Stat( .  'I'bey  spr'  ad  ribr.^id  a  zerd,  which  ciiitmguished  in  a 
peculiar  manner  the  Legislature  of  1  816.  They, directed  the 
public  ^itention  to  the  improvement  of  our  inttrn.  I  cond'ticin  ; 
To  the  oprning  of  nevV"  channels  of  intercours'  :  To  the  lon- 
structuin  vJ  good  roads,  to  the  opening  of  our  rivers,  to  the 
improvement  of  c5ar  inlets,  to  the  conccnU-aiion  of  our  com- 
merce, fltul  the  growth  of  markets  at  home  for  he  productions 
of  our  soil — It  remains  to  lie  seen  vV'hether  sul^sequtut  Lt^gis- 
laiurcs  will  foster  the  zeal  which  has  been  excited  ;  wiil  lead 
on  the  State  to  respectability  and  greiitneSs  j  or  suffer  us  to 
sink  back  into  our  former  apathy,  and  once  more  to  merit  the 
cold  neglect  of  the  General  Government,  and  the  rt.-proach  and 
contempt  of  our  Sister  States. 

When  it  is  n  collected  that  since  the  year  1SI5,  the  L<  gis* 
lature  have  resolved  to  ecJu  ate  at  the  pubac  i  xpense  the  Daugh- 
ter of  Capt.nin  Blukely  and  the  Son  of  Colonel  Forsyth,  in 
gratitude  ior  the  devotion  of  those  gallant  men  in  their  coun- 
try's service  ;  that  a  superb  Statue  of  the  Father  of  our  Coun- 
try should  be  procured  from  the  Chisel  of  the  first  Artist  in 
the  World  ;  that  public  Education  should  be  more  diligently 
attended  to  ;  that  liberal  appropriations  should  be  made  for 
Internal  Improvements  :  that  our  inlets,  and  our  rivers  sh(-idd 
be  surveyed  :  that  a  Principal  Civil  Engineer  should  be  em- 
ployed to  direct  the  public  Works  of  the  State  ;  vve  have  rea- 
son to  hope  that  our  character  is  advancing;  that  v/t-  stand 
committed  not  oidy  to  ourselves,  but  to  our  neighbors,  to  per- 
severe in  the  honorable  career  upon  v.'hich  we  have  enti  ref]« 

Men  must  learn  political  truths  in  the  schod  of  cxpf  rience. 
Such  is  their  obstinacy,  that  they  will  learn  these  truth:>  no 
where  else.  The  events  of  the  year  ISIO,  have  taught  us  les- 
sons of  the  most  impressive  character.  If  we  do  not  profit  bv 
them,  we  deserve  to  be  lashed  still  more  severely.  It  is  true 
the  distress  in  pecuniary  matters  wdiich  now  prevails  in  this 
State  is  not  attrihatal)le  to  one  cause  only  ;  but  it  is  o!>vious 
to  a  common  observer  that  the  greatest  and  most  operative 
cause  of  this  distress -is  the  scattered  coi^diiion  of  our  com- 
merce, and  the  w-mt  of  a  home  market.  Ilaving  no  commer- 
cial city  in  which  the  staples  of  our  soil  can  be  exchangr  d  for 
foreign  merchandize,  our  Mtrchants  purchase  their  Goods  and 
conir  tct  their  (h  bts  in  Cbarh  ston,  Pc-tersburg,  Bidtimrre,  Phi- 
ladelphia and  2\cw-Ywrk.     Part  of  those  dt>bts  are  discharged 


'^y  shipments  of  produce  :  the  balance  in  cash.  Once  in  every 
ye?r  the  State  is  literally  drained  of  its  money  to  pay  debts 
abroad.  Our  Banks  not  being  able  to  do  as  extensive  business 
bv  Bank  credits  as  is  done  in  large  coiinTiercial  cities,  are  c^-in- 
pelled  to  isssue  and  throw  into  circulation  thcirnotes  to  meet 
th:  demands  of  commerce,  Tht,r.e  notes  collected  in  imm  nse 
tmmbers  in  other  Slates  are  returned  upon  our  Banks  tor  spe- 
. cif-;  atid  the  Banks  are  compelled  not  only  to  curtail  their 
cli'-:.  lunts  and  press  their  dealers,  that  they  may  call  in  their 
notes  ;  but  upon  emergencies  to  suspend  specie  pavmenis— 
The  consequence  is  that  their  notes  depreciate,  and  merchants 
having  to  make  remittances  to  other  Sjates,  sustain  the  most 
sen  >us  losses — N)  blame  is  to  be  attached  to  the  Banks  *.  th>y 
havt  not  issued  more  paper  than  ths  ordinary  demands  of  our 
eommer  c  rtquire  :  the  evil  lies  in  the  condition  of  the  Stace  ; 
a  condition  vviiich,  in  the  first  place,  induces  the  merchants  to 
contract  their  debts  in  other  States,  and  in  the  second  place^ 
whi(  h  compels  the  Banks  to  do  business  by  issues  of  notes,  in- 
stead of  di  inq  it  by  Bank  credits. —  The  old  United  States  Bank, 
with  a  capital  of  ten  millions  of  dollars,  and  niaking  an'iual 
«lividcnds  of  eight  per  cent,  never  had  in  circulation  at  any  one 
time  notes  to  the  amount  of  five  millions.  Mere  than  one  half 
of  its  business  vvas  done  by  Bank  credits— Its  business  vvgo 
confined  to  the  commercial  cities,  where  a  credit  at  Bank  an- 
swered the  purposes  of  merchants  as  well,  and  their  conve- 
nience much  better,  than  Bank  notes— If  North-Carolina  had 
her  commerce  concentrated  at  one  or  two  points,  one  or  more 
large  commercial  cities  would  grow  up  ;  markets  would  be 
fouod  at  home  for  the  productions  of  the  State  ;  foreign  mer- 
chandize would  be  imported  into  the  State  for  the  demands  of 
the  market ;  our  debts  would  be  contracted  at  home  ;  and  our 
Banks  would  be  enabled  to  change  their  course  of  business- 
They  could  give  activity  to  the  commerce  of  the  State,  and  yet 
issue  but  a  small  amount  of  paper;  and  the  amount  issued 
would  be  confined  in  its  circulation  almost  entirely  to  the  State* 
To  these  advantages  may  be  added  another  of  no  small  moment  % 
"The  profit  upon  our  commerce  would  be  made  in  North-Ca- 
rolina, whereas  now,  it  is  made  in  other  States.  The  annual 
profit  made  upon  our  commerce  in  other  States,  and  which  is 
totally  lost  to  North-Carolina,  is  estimated  at  more  than  half 
a  million  of  dollars. 

In  framing  a  system  of  policy  which  is  to  extend  our  com- 
merce and  improve  our  agricultare,  it  will  be  necessary  i-/  keep 
an  view  the  necessity  of  sustaining  the  credit  of  our  Bank  pa- 
per.    We  need  not  enquire  whether  it  was  wise  tq  substitutp 


g  LVT  r.  0DT7CTIQ  V'' 

Bank  paper  in  the  place  of  the  precious  niet.i"!:;,  for  a  c'ifci)?ni', 
ing  medium.  It  is  in  vaiu  lor  us  to  attempt  to  cotaroi  '.ne 
course  of  business  in  the  commercial  world  ;  and  whilst  every 
State  }n  tht^  Union,  and  the  General  Government  itsuli,  have 
established  Bat  ks,  Su  which  the  specie  of  the  nation  is  clepo- 
sittd,  we  ought  not  to  expect  that  we  can  adopt  any  svstem.  by 
which  this  specie  shall  be  drawn  out  and  form  a  circuhiting 
snedium.  Events  have  put  this  subject  heyond  our  control, 
and  we  must  legislate  upon  the  stutc  of  things  as  they  are,  and 
xiot  as  we  would  wish  them  to  be---Indcpendei:tly  o}  this  con- 
sideration, it  is  certainly  problematical  whether  the  quantity  of 
the  precious  metals  is  equal  ro  the  present  extended  commerce 
of  the  world.  For  the  last  ten  years  this  qvuu:.tity  has  greatly 
decreased,  i)oth  in  Europe  and  America.  1  he  trade  to  Iiidia» 
whiti)  annualiv  swallows  up  a  large  portion  oi  the  Silver  of  Eu-- 
rope  aivX  the  United  States,  has  extended  itself  v/ithin  the  last 
ten  years,  during  all  ol  which  the  coinage  in  South-America 
has  been  much  intcrru,pted,  and  the  supplies  lo  Eur-  pe  and  the 
fji.itc  JB»States  have-  bi.  en  very  precarious.  To  this  vit-w  (d  ihe 
rase  may  be  added,  that  b'nce  the  close  of  the  Revtilu'ionary 
War  in  1783,  the  commerce  of  the  world  has  probahlv  doublv- d. 
and  more  than  twice  the  cuantity  of  circulating  medium  is  now 
r*  quirtd  for  the  purposes  of  commerce  that  was  required  at 
xh-xt  time-  -Commercial  States  seem  to  have  been  driven  to 
the  necessity  of  Banking,  as  an  expedient  to  supply  the  defi- 
ciency of  the  precious  nielals--  Thi%  expedient  Has  betm. abus- 
ed, both  in  Europe  and  America  ;  but  this  abu?.  -  furnishes  tiQ 
6olid  argum.ent  against  the  judicious  use  of  this  e:.:p(nnnt : 
and  itia  not  pretended  that  such  abuse  has  taken  place  in  N-.>rth- 
Carr.lina.  Our  Legislature  have  acted  with  due  caution  in  es- 
tablishing Basks;  and  notwithstandingthe  embarrassments  an" 
idvr  v.'fiich  those  instituti  ms  now  labour,  no  doubt  can  be  en- 
tertained of  the  ability  and  integrity  with  which  their  concerns 
have  been  manag-d— fhe  v>'riter  of  this  Memoir  has  no  inter- 
iiesr  in  anv  of  the  Banks,  except  as  a  citizen  rf  the.  State  ;  .is 
such,  he  feels  a  deep  interest  in  their  welfare.  The  character 
of  the  State  is  in  some  measure  identified  with  the  charMCtcrr 
<of  its  Br.nk  paper;  half  a  million  of  the  capif.il  of  the  Banks 
jbelongs  to  the  State,  and  nearly  fifty  thousand  dollars  of  the 
^public  revetme  are  annually  derived  from  the?e  Institutions  — 
They  are  essentially  n<?cessary  to  the  growth  ot  our  commerce, 
and  the  extension  of  our  industry  ;  arid  their  situation  claims, 
in  a  peculiar  manner,  the  calm  and  sober  attention  of  the  Le- 
gislature'—The  circumstances  c(/nnected  with  the  situation  of 
ibar  ^anks,  circumstances  which  the  cfents  of  the  yciir  liii% 


X^'TRODUCTIOi!?.  ^ 

^ave  rcTidered  obvious  to  every  man  of  common  observationj, 
iur!^!-;h  one  of  rhe  stro:iuest  risasons  why  the  Legislature  should 
act  promptly  and  decisivciy  in  carrying  into  >  ffect  a  system  of 
policy  which  sliall  change  tht-  course  of  commtrcial  business  in 
NoTih-Car'lina  :  a  systtm  which  shall  concentrate  our  com- 
merce within  our  own  territ^'ry,  esiablish  markets  at  home  for 
the  sale  of  tjur  productions,  and  th^  purcliase  of  foreign  rtier« 
ci"i:!.:;dize. 

,  We  inhabit  a  State,  the  soil  of  which  is  little  inferior  to  that 
of  any  of  the  Atl^nti'  States  ;  we  have  as  many  square  miles 
of  t;rvitory  as  the  State-  of  Mew-York  ;  we  have  a  popu!ation 
iittlr  short  ot  seven  huiltlred  thousandva  population  iridustrious^ 
inond  and  int<.»ligcnt  ;  tew  o!)jc(.tions  can  be  urged  to  our'cli- 
iiiate  ;  v/e  have  fine  rivers  intersecting  our  State,  affording 
chaunt  Is  orcomuiunicaiion  from  the  ocean^'nat  only  to  the  heart 
but  almi'st  to  tlic  exireifiity  of  our  territory,  at  sundry  points, 
and  oflerHig  greater  lacdiiies  ior  internal  commerce  than  are 
tnjoyed  by  any  of  the  neighboring  States.  VVith  these  ad vaa- 
tagcs  at  commatid,  what  can  prevent  us  from  becoming  a  rich, 
great  and  poweriul  member  of  th'  Union?  Nothing  can  pre 
yent  it,  but  our  supinencss  and  want  of  public  spirit. 

In  North  Carolina,  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  will  form  tha 
basis  of  public  prosperity.  To  develope^the  resources  of  ouy 
soil,- it  is  necessary  to  give  facilities  to  our  commerce.  Indus* 
try  yv'ill  lie  inactive  whilst  there  is  no  demand  for  its  produc- 
tions. An  active  commerce  is  the  aliment  of  lal^our;  and  at 
this  day,  v.hcn  Political  Economy  has  attained  to  the  rank  of  a 
science.  Statesmen  will  not  seek  to  promote  the  Agriculture  of 
a  country  by  Ijounties  and  premiums,  but  will  turn  their  atten- 
tion to  those  ways  and  means  by  which,  in  the  first  place,  the 
products  oi  Agriculture-can  easily  find  a  good  market,  and  by 
which,  in  the  second  pkice,  the  pr  Jits  of  that  commerce  wh;ch. 
iiustains  the  market,  shall  be  contributory  to  the  wealth  of  their 
<)wn,  rather  than  ot  other  States. 

It  is  proposed,  in  thf  following  Memoir,  to  take  a  view  of  the 
internal  condition  of  North-C.v.  olina,  her  advantages  for  foreign 
commerce,  fnr  commrrce  .with  neghboring  States,  and  for  that 
commerce  which  is  employed  in  the  l^uying  and  selling  of  com- 
ii^odities  for  home  consumption.  Each  species  of  commerc© 
contributes  to  enliven  industry,  and  to  augment  the  wealth  of 
the  State,  and  as  such  claims  the  attention  of  the  Legislature — 
Thi  se  subjects  ure  treated  o;  in  the  "  Fiexv  of  the  Internal 
improvements  contemplated  by  the  Legislature^'*  which  has 
b^en  drawn  up  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  and  submitted 
^  ':h'?  consideration  of  the  Principjil  Engineer  for  the  State*. 


It  is  farther  proposed  to  take  a  view  of  what  the  Legislature 
"has  thus  tar  done  towards  improving  our  internal  condition,  to 
pt'ir-t'out,  in  pai-t,  what  remains  to  be  done,  and  shew  the  ability 
of  the  State  to  do  it.  This  will  lead  to  an  enquiry  into  the 
Tesourcesof  the  State,  and  the  condition  of  her  finances--- Upon 
these  subjects  general  remarks  will  be  avoided.  Facts  taken 
from  the  public  records  of  the  country  will  be  submitted  ;  and 
tncn  who  have  not  turned  their  attention  to  this  subject,  will  be 
astonished  to  find  how  little  our  resources  are  und<  rstood. 

Should  this  Blemoir  contribute  in  the  least  lo  cherihh  a  zeal 
^or  the  honor  and  prosperity  of  North-Carolina,  it  will  be  gra- 
tifying to  the  writer,  whose  principal  ambition  is,  to  see  his 
XJaUve  State  assume  that  rank  in  the  Union,  to  which  she  is 
entirltd  b\  her  physical  resources,  and  the  moral  worth  anf5 
luieiiigcnce  ol  her  people. 


^P'lidt  the  Legislaturs  hate  thus  fat'  done  on  ths 
subject  cf  Inleriud  Impror '-ments. 


AT  tne  close  of  the  late  W?a-  with  Great  Britain  the  public- 
atl'.  nuon  wasclircctr-ci  to  the  subject  of  Internal  Imprtivcmcr.ts  ; 
^nd  It  is  a  iutle  remarkable,  that  in  the  winter  of  1815,  Ncw- 
York  passed  the  law  under  wliich  the  Great  Canal  frt>m  trie 
Lakes  to  the  North  River  has  been  commenced;  Virginia  '.,s-. 
tablished  a  Fund  ibr  Internal  Improvements  and  appointed  a 

•  Board  of  Public  Works  j  and  North-CaroIiua»  for  the  first  time 
since  her  political  existence,  resolvtd  to  appropriate  a  part  of 
her  revenues  to  the  ImP/rovcnicnt  of  her  Internal  Condition. 
Pennsylvania  had  %ng  before,  set  an  example  s»t"  the  most  ho 
notable  kind  upon  this  subject.  An  appropriation  of  three 
hundrrd  thousand  dollars  and  more,  for  making  Roads,  erect- 
ing Bridges,  &c.  had  become  so  frequent  in  that  state,  that  her 
iniernal  condition  became  enviable.  Her  Agriculture,  her 
Commerce,  h-rr  Alanulactures,  made  a  progress  that  ivas  as- 
tonishing ;  her  industry  and  her  wealth  extended,  and  siie  prov- 
ed, beyond  all  doubt,  to  men  v/ho  understood  the  su^'jecc,  that 
one  thousand  dollars  laid  out  in  Internal  Improvements,  add 
ten  thousand  to  the  National  Wealth:  that  liberal  appropriations 
for  Roads,  Bridges  and  Canals,  do  not  impoverish,  but  en^jch  a 
"State;  do  tiot  increase  the  public  burthens,  but  render  them. 
more  light.  For  notwiihstanding  the  millions  which  Pcansvl- 
vania  has  appropriated  to  tnese  objects,  such  has  been  the  in- 
crease of  her  Wealth,  and  the  product! veivess  of  her  revenue, 
that  she  has  been  enabled  almost  entirely  to  dispense  with  or- 
dinary taxation,  an^  to  fill  her  Treasury  f-:ora  the  proceeds  of 
her  Bank  S  ock.  Stock  in  the  Public  Funds,  Turnpike  and  Canal 
-St<;ck  — Nen-York,  riVi.lling  Pennsylvania  in  her  commerce, 
resolved  to  lollow  her  example  in  in^proving  her  internal  con- 
dition. Having  by  repeated  surveys  ascertained  the  practica- 
bility ff  opening  a  communication  by  water  from  Lake  Erse 
to  the  North  River,  she  levied  taxes  to  raise  a  fund  of  five 
Trillions  to  open  ihis  communication.  Such  a  resolution  was 
worthy  of  the  statesmen  who  proposed  it  and  of  the  State  whu:li 
adopted  it ;  and  the  v.ork  which  will  be   executed   in  pursu- 

•ance  of  it,  wdl  have  no  parallel  either  in  Europe  or  the  Unit- 
Cd  Strties — Virginia  determined  at  ihe  .same  time  t»  take  ef- 


i^  t'  INTKKS'AL  IM  i'ROV  E'SiV N'ty 

fectual  measurts  to  improve  her  Inl-md  Nu,vig"itio!>.  She  fh, 
attd  a  lund  of  one  and  an  hoif  miluon,  and  picdgirtl  her  'hnfr 
that  the  proceeds  ot  this  iuud  should  l>ei;^jp|-:Ucd  to  the  exrcu- 
turn  oi'  such  Pu!)iic  Works  as  the  Le^dslatur*-.  iTiight  imttj  trtrii 
to  urn e  be  disposfd  to  patronize  ;  Slie  cstaolished  a,Bo,)j^d  •;! 
Public  Works  to  manage  this  fund,  to  employ  a  Principal  En- 
glrtf  tr  and  Surveyors,  and  to  superintend  :he  public  wor^zfi''  -f 
the  State,  s(*  far  as  to  have  the  proper  plans  drawn  up,  aiaf  to 
Ttpcrt  to  the  Legislature,  from  year  to  yejr,  their  progress  and 
conditiofi.-  Since  that  t'-vTic,  South-Carolina  has  approjiriated  a 
i-niHion  of  dollars  for  imp  -oving  ht  r  Internal  ConcHiron,  and 
has  authotised  an  expenditjve  of  t\vo  hundred  and  fifty  thou'-.- 
and  dollars  thereof  annually  :  leaving  to  h°er  Principal  Engi- 
neer the  forming  of  all  the  plaus,  and  in  a  great  degree  the 
designation  o!  the  objects,  the  Improvetnent  of  her  Rivers  be- 
ing t!ie  main  one.  It  rerti'.iins  to  be  seen  what  North  Caroli-' 
na  has  (lo-hii  upon  this  subject. 

Early  in  the  Session  of  the  General  Asst^nbly  in  1815,  a  re 
Solution  was  subt"nitted  on  the  subject  of  the  Inland  Nav  igatior 
■of  the  State,  v/hich  was  refei-red  to  a  joint  <select  Commiuec  o-. 
the  tv.'o  House?.  "1  lie  Con>nntt(  e  niadt-  a  Report,  in  which  they 
gave  a  general  view  of  the  condition  of  tlie  State  and  of  her 
jcapacities  for  CoiVirnerce  ;  and  submitted  a  plan  for  irhproving 
•her  Inland  Navigation.      f he  outlines  of  this  plan  were, 

1.  That  Companies  should  be  incorporated  for  Improving  thr 

Navigation  of  the  Principal  Rivers,   u  ho  shoultl  hold  theii 

rii!;hts  and  priviiegf^s  foj-evpr— 
•Q.  That  t!ie  rii;!>ts  and  privileges  of  a  Company  should  ex(Rnd 

nam  the  sources  of  a  I^iver  to  its  mtfulh,  or   to   the   iiiie  of 

the  State,  and  to  ail  tributary  streams — 
"2,  Th.at  each  Company  should  be  entitled  to  levy  such   Toll, 

n,s  would  vie'd  fifteen  percent,  upon  the  Capit!",!  expended — . 

4.  '.Jhat  the  State  should  snbsciibe  one  third  partof  tlse  Capi- 
tai  Stock  of  each  Company. 

5.  That  a  Board  of  Commiasioners  shonld  be  apprirsted  to  su  = 
perintend  t!ie  Public  Works  on  behalf  ot"  the  Slate;  to  eui- 
ploy  a  Principal  and  Assistant  Engineers ;  to  have  sarvevs 
made;  and  to  report  annually  to  the  General  Assembly  t'r 
state  of  the  Public  Works,  the  money  which  had  oees)  ex 
pended,  the  proore.«s  '.vhich  had  been  made,  &.c.  And  ru 
reconvmend,  from  time  to  time,  si'ch'^ further  works  as  they 
Plight  tliink  should  be  executed — it  wa, 'further  proposed 
that  this  Boaril  should  be  charged  with  tiie  duty  (d  colltct- 
inn-  Statistical  Information  ot  th.e  Agriculture  andrCoiti- 
Tiierce  of  the  State  :  Inforniation  rcdative  to  tiie  Soil  aut 
Qimate,  &c. 


m  ^^ORTH-CAROLINA.  i^ 

i'he  C'.imnriittee  proposed  to  give  numerous  details  to  this 
,^r>eral  plan,  shouid  the  General  Asscmi)!-/  sanction  the  out- 
..ues-— riiu  aujcct  w^s  novel  and  it  underwent  much  investi- 
gation, paiticularly  \n  the  HViuse  of  Commons,  where  the  dis- 
cussion was  animated  and  interesting.  The  Senate  sanctioned 
the  pi  ni,  biU  it  was  rejected  by  the  Commons.  Bill,  were 
then  drawn  up  and  oift  r<  d  incorporating  Companies  ior  th<; 
Iv.ianok-  an  1  Cape-Fear  Rivers,  which,  alter  much  opposition^ 
and  having  rettive/d  sundry  amt ndmcnts,  were  passed.  Tne 
State  agreed  to  sul^scribe  tweniy-fivc  thousand  dollars  of  the 
capital  stock  of  the  Roanoke  Company,  and  fifteen  thousand 
of  the  Cape   F.ar  Company. 

The  Com;nitV-e  rec  'inmended  a  Survey  of  our  Inlets  and  of 
f.lie  priucipai  Sounds,  and  Commissioners  were  appointed  to 
fiavc  a  Survey  m^ide  of  the  Albemarle  and  Pamplico  wiih  in*- 
■'''Struftiirns  to  ascertain,  if  it  were  practicai>!e  t>  oprn  a  direct 
outl'  t  to  the  orean  from  the  Albemarle. — J  'hn  Haywood,  Pe* 
ter  Briiwne,  William  B  ylan  and  Joseph  Gales  were  appointed 
Commi'^sioners  ta  have  Surveys  made  ol  the  Roanok-,  Tar, 
Ncusc,  Cape-Fear,  Yadkin  and  Catawba  R-Vers  and  wtre  in» 
siru  trd  to  have  a  Survey  made  betwen  the  Capc-Fcar  and 
Yadkin,  with  a  view  of  as>  ertaining  whether  a  communicatioti 
bv  u'.itcr  c  >uld  be  opened  between  those  Rivers — They  were 
auihorised  to  employ  one  or  more  Surveyors,  and  were  direct- 
ed  to  report  to  the  next  Gentral  Asscmblv. 

Daring  the  Summer  of  1816.  a  partial  Survey  v/as  made  of 
the  Albemarle  a;'d  Croathan  Sounds  and  of  Roanoke  Inlet,  by 
Capt.  Clarke,  late  of  the  Corps  of  Ensrineers.  He  endeavor- 
ed to  learn  the  direction  and  relative  influence  of  the  currents 
along  the  Coast  north  of  Cape  Hatteras,  a  knowledge  of  which 
was  indispensably  necessary  in  determining  the  question  of 
making  an  Outlet  from  the  Vlbemarl  -  It  is  not  understood 
what  circumstances  prevented  Cant.  Clarke  from  completing 
his  Survey.  He  drew  up  a  Map  of  this  part  of  the  Coast,  in 
which  he  marked  out  the  direction  of  the  principal  currents 
which  could  affect  an  Outlet;  but  their  relative  iorces  not  be- 
ing determine  d,  the  question  respecting  this  Outlet,  so  far  a9 
the  same  depends  upon  a  correct  knowldge  of  those  eurr- nts, 
remains  in  the  same  situation  in  which  it  was  in  the  year  18)6, 
I'he  Map  of  Capt.  Clarke  v/ill,  however,  be  ver .  useful  to  'her 
Engineers  who  may  be  called  up  ^n  to  examine  and  determine 
this  question. 

Pettr  Browne,  Esquire,  was  app(iiiued  Chairman  of  -he 
Board  of  ConamJssioners  charg -d  with  the  Surveys  of  the  pim- 


1-1<  iXTSRXAL  IMFilOV iiN!:.\  I  .^ 

cipai  Rivers,  nnd  the-emplojmoiit  of  compctLnl  SuiVi-vors  He- 
ing  ihe  first  thing  necessary,  tl'ic  Board  opened  a  c<  rrcsi>'-n- 
dencf  with  Gentlfmcn  in  thi:  Novthern  States,  ancl  Col.  Ijvp.- 
jamiu  F.  Buldvvin  of  r»lass;ichiiselts  was  rtico'.rimcnd  lo  tiK-iVi. 
Upon  iiii  Invitcitivnn  :roiV}  lue  lloard,  Col.  B:ddvviii  came  on^j 
and  in  ihe  Fail  of  1816,  iuade  Suvvi^s  of  the  Tar  and  Ncust: 
Rivers.  His  Reports  of  these  Surveys Averc  siibrai'ted  to  tiitr 
General  Ass  mbly.  of  t!int}ear  ;  and  ili^;  Board  tvcre  cuniintr,  d, 
with  instructions  to  employ  a  Principal  Kr<,iL.,ii;t(r  l>  r  \h-  S5<<!e 
and  one  or  more  Sar\'c\'ors<  i'ht-y  v/tre  al-.o  directed  to  pur- 
chase such  Maps  rnd  Charts  as  thej'  Height  think  wt.uld  i)e 
list  fid,  and  to  have  such  other  ar,d  further  SmveNS  made  as 
to  them  miglit  seem  neces'sary  to  ..id  the  Geceral  Assembl)  in 
dfcterminii'g  upon  };lans  oi  Internal  ImprovemtJit* 
-.  The  Ci'nrimitiec  on  Inhmd  Navigation,  in  their  report  to  the 
Generrd  Assembly  in  1816,  ^ubniitted  definite  views  of  the 
iinprovtr^isnts  uhioi  they  deemed  necessary.'  They  rehited 

1.    I'o  the  Improvemt'iit  of  oui;  li'dets. 

^l.  I'u  (he  opening  of  ou^  principal  Rivers-^. 

G.   To  1  he  junction  of  two  or  snoic  cf  Jhose  ivtv(^:\s  by  Cmiids. 

4.  To  the  concciitr.ldoji  (if  our  Cotnincrce  at  a  fetv  pu;i;ts,  by 
nteans  of  the  foregoing  Inij?rovcine!)(s. 

They  recornmended  the  continuance  of  the  Board  foraSurv;-)- 
of  the  Albtinarle,  Croathan  and  Pamplico  Sounds,  ana  Rwa- 
Doke  Inlet;  and  the  incorporation  of  Companies  for  the  I'ar, 
Ntuse,  Yfidkin  and  Catawba  Rivers.  Ciiarters  were  granud 
lor  these  Riveis,  similar  to  the  Charters  which  in  1815,  had 
bten  grarted  for  the  Roanoke  and  Cape-Fear.  ** 

The  CTer.eral  AsseiVibly  having  directed  the  employment  of 
n  Prif.cipal  Engineer,  the  Board  offered  the  ajpointmtnt  to 
Ccl.  Benjamin  F.  Baldwin,  who  declined  itj,  and  clie  rains  of 
the  Winter  h.aving  rendered  a  "further  prosecution  o^  Sur-\'e)s 
at  that  time  inconvenient,  hereturntdto  Massachusetts.  Tije 
xvhole  of  the  year  1817  was  consumed  in  fruitless  endeavors 
to  procure  a  Principal  Engineer.  Mr.  Benjamin  H.  Latrobe, 
V'ho  stood  at  the  head  of  the  Civil  Engine  ers  i^  the  Unittd 
States,  and  in  whose  ofiice  many  ])ron,isi!!g  young  mti)  b;.d 
tuen  educated,  early  adyised  the  Board  to  procure  an  Engi- 
3)eer  fith'.r  from  France  or  England.  He  had  received  hh 
t:dvica  ion  in  England,  at-.ci  was  well  acquahued  with  the  pro- 
gress whi  h  the  science  of  Civil  Engineeiitij^  had.  niacle  in  Eu- 
rf'P'  since  the  cmrttenc^ment  of  the  French  Revolution.  The 
X3oard  ■  f  red  the  appoii  tmont  to  IMr.  Latrobe  at  a  salary  of 
three  th'-usand  dollars.  He  xleclined  the  appointment,  but  \t- 
wy  politely  and  generously  aided  them  with   fis   advice  upon 


OP  xoTirii-CAnoLns^A.  i3 

^iV  the  sa'-J.  cts  committed  to  their  chiirge  by  the  General  As- 
a  •iibly. —  Mr,  i  <  c,  the  late  Consul  ot»th«:;  CJriited  States  at  Bor- 
ci  ;uix,  ha\'ing  r-cnmmendecl  Mr.  Pagenaud,  the  appointment 
of  Top  igrapliiccii  E  g?neer  was  ofFtrred  to  him.  Mr.  Pagenaud 
was  a  Frcmh  Xirntieman,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
lipon  th-r  refitoratjon  of  the  Brjur!)ons.  He  had  ocen  educated 
ill  the  Polytechnic  School  at  Paris,  and  during  the  govcrmn'ent 
of  Bonaparte;^  had  heev>  placed  at  the  head  of  the'  Topographi- 
ca!  Engineers  [d  the  D  .p-artroent  of  the  Garonne.  Almost  at 
the  s.icrje  ti:ne  that  Mr.  pagenaud  agreed  to  accept  che  ap- 
puinti^ent  which  the  Hoard  tcr.d»:red  to  him^  hr  receive:!  per- 
r.-iission  to  return  to  France,  of  which  lie  immediately  availed 
hiTisclf.  ,  . 

In'the  Summcnpf  I8I8,  Peter^Brov/nef  Esquire,  ;ht  Chair- 
man of  the  Board,  sailed  for  EngVarj'J  j  and  the  lioard  havin"* 
sj)ent  eighteeJn  naonths  in  fruitless  cflorts  to  procure'^  Princi- 
pal Engineer  in  i^e  United  States,  rcques'ed  Mr.  Browne  to 
engage  6ne  in  England  :  He  was  also  requested  to  engage  a 
C'lnptrtent  SurveyoKand  Draftsmaii,  and  to  purchase  for  the 
S ::'Cte  in  Londo'},  a  complete  set  of  Mathcmlitical  Instrurru-nts 
required  forth'-  Engineer's  Department.  The  General  As- 
sembly,(sf  ISir,  *.n  c/nnemplation  of  Mr.  Browne's  absence  fr;!!n 
thK  Stat«,  added  Archibald  D.  Murr/ney,  Esquire,  to  the 
^  Board,  and  upon  the,  sailing  of  r.Ir.  Browne,  he  was  appointed 
Chairman  o^he^  Board  pro.  tem.       .-  < 

The  Companies  w.hich  were  incorporated 'in  1 8  L'?  and  1816, 
liegan  to  !>e  "^rganiseil,  and  were  anxious  to  commence  their 
WmiU  It  became  heeessarj^  therefore,  to  commence  the 
Surveys  ordered'  by  the  G.eneral  Assembly.  If  Mr.  Browne 
should  succeed  in  <fngagi!<g  a  Principal  Engineer,  the  Bi^aid 
considered 'that  this  Engineer,  upon  his  arrival,  should  be  oc-' 
copied  in  plaaning  the'^PiiijlicV/orks  and  superintending  their 
ex-cutioiV-:  that  jjr-c^it  part  of  his  time  musf  in  this  way  be  ta- 
li en  up,  and  that  m*  could'  not  even  plan  a  public  work  without 
the  aid  of  .In  accwrate^'Survey— For  these  reasons,  the  Board 
availed  themselves  of  the  best  talents  w-hich  they  could  iiring 
into  their  service,  and  the  Surveys  were  commenced  in  July 
18-18.     These  Surveys  %vcre  directed 

1.  'To  (he  Ya'Jkin. 

2.  To  tlic  Cape-Fear. 

5.  To  the  Country  between  tiic  Yadkin  and  C-ipc-Fcar. 

4, Roanoke  and  Pungo. 

5.  — Uoannke  and  Tar. 

fj, Xar  and  Ncusc. 

Mr.  William  Terry  made  a  partial  Survey  of  the  Cape-Feae 
hetvv-eea  the  Towns  of  Fayf>itev:lle  and  Haywood,  and  of  th '. 


IS  INTERNAL  IMPROVEMElv-TS 

Yailkia between  Skeen^s  and  St^kts's  Fv-rries — He  rtlso  n^zsf' 
tained  the  relative  levels  of  the  YitdkiU  at  Skcen's  Ffciry  and 
the  Uharce  at  Lnssir.tr*s  Ford. 

Messrs.  J'hu  Hix  n  nnil  Hiram  ji-nings  ex'-mined  ih'?  Yad- 
kin, trora  Wilki  sborough  ti>  the  South  Carolina  line,  and  re- 
commei  ded  plans  ti  imj)roving  its  Navigation,  except  at  the 
Narrows  ar.d  Falls. 

The  Kevcrend  Jiiseph  Caldwell  nrd  IMr.  Elisha  Mitrhdl  of 
our  University,  made  a  Survey  ot  the  Narrows  auc'  F..iij  of 
the  Yadkin. 

M'.  ssrs.  Josiatban  Price  and  ^«Voodsnr.  Ck  mons  Jii:ah  a  par- 
tial Survey  ■'  f  che  country  bt-twrtn  the  Uhavei  and'  Dt  ep  Ki- 
vers,  and  asc^  rtained  the  rf-lative  levels  o!  the  bids  ai  ti  ose 
Kivers  at  sundry  poifnts — They  also  made  Surveys  hc-tv  .ii  the 
Roanoke  ai  d  Pungo,  tb.t  Roanoke  and  Tar.  and  tht  T:  v  :  ■  d 
Neusc  Rivers. 

Rr  ports  of  these  Surveys,  w  th  Maps  and  Pn  files,  w  re  su')~ 
juil^ed  to  ihr  Gener;il  Assemi)ly  ol  i81P>,  and  tiirtc  thousand 
copies  of  xh.  Reports  were  ordered  to  he  printed  for  disirdju- 
tion  among  th     several  Counties. 

A  short  lime  before  the  Meeting  of  the  G'  nrr:d  Assetn'dy 
in  1818,  the  Board  received  a  Letti  r  frc  m  Pel'  r  B:-ownt,  Es- 
quire, in  which  he  stat^  d  th,e  great  dt  mand  for  Civil  Engineers 
in  Europe,  the  difficulty  of  procuring  them,  and  the  high  pri- 
ces which  were  paid  for  their  services  j  that  since  the  ternii- 
D  ition  of  the  late  War  upon  that  Continent,  the  respective  Go- 
vernments had  turned  their  attention  to  the  Imprc  vtinent  f;f 
ihfir  Interna!  Coidition,  and  given  employment  to  all  thtir 
eminent  Civil  Engineers  :  that  he  found  he  could  not  cngv»ge 
a  Principal  Engineer  for  North-Carolina  upo/i  a  salary  wh/ch 
the  General  Assrmblv  would  approve  of,  and  requested  Jur- 
ther  instru  tions — The  B  ard  suiimiited  the  subject  to  the  Ge* 
neral  Assembh,  with  a  request  that  an  opiidon  should  be  ex- 
pression as  to  the  salary  which  the  Board  should  engage  to 
pay—'The  Communication  of  the  Board  was  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Internal  Improvements,  who  reported  a  resolu- 
tion that  the  subject  should  lie  lift  to  the  disiretiftn  of  the 
Board  ;  and  this  resolution  being  agreed  to  by  the  two  Hou- 
ses   notice  of  it  was  immediately  transmitted  to  Mr.  Browne, 

Early  in  the  year  1819,  Mr.  J'  hn  Couty,  who  had  been  in 
the  service  of  the  Principal  Engineer  (  f  Virgin  a,  was  employ- 
€d  by  the  Board  to  prosecute  the  Surve\fi  which  had  l)een  com- 
menced in  18' 8.  He  was  instructed  to  make  the  Survey  be- 
tween the  Prdee  and  Cape-Fe.r  for  the  Lumber  Rivt  r  Canal  j 
Ko  make  a  Survey  of  the  Yadkin  at  the  NisTrows  and  Falis^oD 


t>F  X»RTI£-C\nOLTNA.  17 

ttic  Eastern  skle  of  the  Rivtr  (Messrs.  Caldwell  and  Mitchell 
having  confined  thtir  survey  chiefly  to  the  Western  side)  :  to 
make  a  Survey  of  ih^  Ptilte  from  the  Uharee  to  the  South- 
Carolina  line  ;  and  to  make  a  Survey  oi  the  Country  between 
the  Catawba  and  Pcdec,  by  the  way  of  the  Rocky  Kiver— The 
Reports  of  tiuse  Surveys,  with  Mr.  Couty's  Maps  and  Pro- 
files, will  be  laid  bel'ore  the  next  General  Assembiy. 

It  has  been  an  object  with  the  Board  to  make  taese  Surveys 
auxiliary  to  the  compiling  ot  an  accurate  Map  oi  the  State; 
and  tHev  will  be  found  eminently  useful  in  this  respect,  inde- 
pendently of  the  main  object  for  which  they  were  ordered  by 
the  Gentral  Asseml^h  .  It  is  very  desirable  to  have  such  a 
Map.  Virginia  has  lately  voted  fitly  thousand  dollars  for  the 
compilation  of  an  a  curate  Map  of  th?t  Siatt,  notwithstanding 
the  fj'.c-  M:ip  which  Mr  Madison  the  iate  President  of  Wil" 
liam  and  Marv  College,  ijubli'^hed  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Legislature,  a  few  yt-ars  ago.  The  Map  ot  North-Carolina, 
bv  Messrs.  Price  and  Strother,  has  an  accuracy  not  to  hava 
been  expecud  at  the  time  it  was  ct  nipiled.  At  that  time,  lit- 
tle w^as  kiitjwn  (.f  the  Gci.>giaphy  <>!  the  Western  parts  of  the 
State;  and  tiiere  is  on.-sixth  part  of  the  T'^rritory  of  the 
State,  of  which  this  Map  affords  a  very  indifferent  representa- 
tion, it  is  i-hat  part  which  lies  between  the  Blue  Ridge  and 
the  Great  Ridge  of  Ivlcuntains,  alcmg  the  summit  of  which 
Tur.s  the  line  dividing  North-Camlina  from  Tennessee,  and  :n 
which  lie  the  counties  of  Ashe,  Bur.combe,  Haywood,  part  of 
Burke,- and  all  the  Cherokee  Country  within  the  limits  of  this 
State.  Mr.  Strother  visited  this  part  of  the  State,  and  ob'ain- 
ed  tHe  best  iniormation  he  tould  from  the  Inhabitants,  as  well 
as  t)y  his  own  observation  of  the  ranges  of  Mountains  and  the 
direction  of  the  vv'ater  courses:  But  the  population  was  small 
and  scattered,  there  Wtrc  few  public  highwavs.  and  it  was  im- 
possible for  him  to  obtain  information  for  an  accurate  Map. 
\\  iihin  this  section  of  the  State,  there  are  more  thaii  five  iriil- 
lions  of  acres  ;  its  territory  equals  in  extent  that  of  the  Judi- 
cial districts  of  Edenton  and  Ncwbern  ;  and  some  of  the  finest 
lands  in  Nnrth-Carolina  are  found  here — Thv  whole  is  a  rich 
moiiiitamous  country.— -The  writer  of  this  Memoir,  although 
he  had  scught  many  opportunities  of  obtaining  information, 
had  hut  a  very  imperfect  idea  of  its  extent  or  value,  until  he 
visit  d  it  in  the  fall  of  1819.  It  is  a  portion  of  the  State  lit- 
tle kn'>v/n  to  the  people  <^>f  the  Miodle,  Southern  and  Eastero 
Cou!)  is:  But  iis  extensive  territory  and  growing  population, 
added  to  the  circumstan  t  that  there  art  at  least  a  million  of 
aci:es  belonging  to  the  State  within  the   Cherokee  Nation  of 


Indians,  rei'iclcr  this  cour/tr}  a  j  v  .  'o[  pcculinr  consirVr-tlo:: 
iffhh  the  Legislature. 

Upon  this  subject,  it  ran)  be  proper  to  rem-art,  rhai  no  liine 
«houid  be  loijt  in  settling-  iht.  Sou'.h-^Vestcrn  Boivui:u-y,- i  cT'tvetu 
this  St':ue  and  TetiMt:ssee.  By  the  cessl'ott -Act'bt"  1789,  this 
Jioundasy  is'riot  defined  beyond  the  Great  Unica  Moinitain. 
-Vrom  tiiut  Mountain  to  the  line  oi  Georgia,  the  aci  ot  •  17^9, 
declares  the  hue  shall  run  on  the. summit  of  the  pfincit>al  ridge 
of  McuTitains.  But  there  are  st v.  r.^1  rjcigts  ;  and  irom  the 
1/iiv.  Survey  made  by  the  S'ates  oi  Tennessee  and  Gtjtjrgia  ior 
the  purpose  nf  settling  the  lines  between  those  Stutt!>,  it  ap- 
l^e-ars  that  Tennessee  hjts  selected  a  rid'ge  of  Mountains  iti<;t 
ha'^nerctofc  re  been  cionsidered  by  us  as'lj.ing  -.vithin  our  .itr- 
fjtr.xy^  aiVd' inrludirig  a  large  portion  of  the  fnost  va'luabie  htnr's 
v/ithin  the  Cherokee 'Couriry  in  N'''nh-Carol)na — A  s  the  Che - 
l;oVte  Title  is  (^n  the  point  of  beiiui;  txtinguished.  ii  become?; 
ji  n'Jritter  cf  interesting  concern  to  u.  vo  liave  ihe  confli  ting 
"claims  of  Tennessee  aiad  this  State  ep;  edUy  s^^uled— When 
this  shall  be  done,  the  bou^^daries  of  North  C:trolnia  will  be 
de'e-rmined. 

In  making  the' Surveys  rrdcred  ly  the  Gtneral  ^  ss'-ini'iy, 
it  i^-.s  also  been  an  object  with  the  Board,  to  r<nci«.r  those  Sr.ro 
revs  suhservi'^-nt  to  the  interests  of  Science,  by  co^Ktting  i; ,- 
iV;'rr,aticn  ol  the  Geolorjy  rtnd  Mineral;Tgy  of  the  State  Bi.t 
•thus  far  they  haVe  found  it  inipo;5sible  to  real-ize  th..  ir  wi^ht  s 
in  this  respect.  They 'hope,' however,  should  the  G^neraTA'-- 
isrml-rly  continue  the  Boa'rd,  to  i;e  able  to  colkct  uiuch  usuiul 
ir.fornnation  fu'tht^r^e  subjects. 

In  July,  1H19.' Mr.  Hnmikon  Fnltnn  arrived  frooni  Europe, 
brirgir  g  letters  to  fho  Board  from  Peter  Browne,  Esquiie,  in 
'A'hich  ht-  istated,  th  t  in  pursuance  of  the  pnvVers  giVcrt  to  him, 
llr  had  engaged  Mr.  Fulton  as  the  Trincip-Ai  Engmeer  for  the 
SVnt'e,  at  tht  salary  of  _-j^  1200  Sterling;  ■, and  Mr  Roben  K. 
BrazJer,  as  Surveyor,' at  the  salaryv'of  _^oOO  ; — That  he  h;;rl 
found  it  )mp<if:sible  to  engage  a  man  of  conipetent  talents  at  a 
sfrtaller'salary.,and  that  neither  of  the  two  Principal  Engineers 
of  Great'Britaii?  could  be  l^ad  at  a  salary  of  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars per  rear — Mr.  Fulton  h.ad  .been  tdCrcated  for  his  Profts- 
ni  n  by  Mr.  Reonie, 'and 'had  been  long  in  the  service  of  Mr. 
Telfori-',  the  two  Principal  Engineers,  not  only  of  Great-Bri- 
tain, 1  ut  of  I~;ir(,pe  ;  h".  had  been  for  many  years  cninloyed  in 
Javipp'  out  :\nd  mvking  Canals,  Locks,  Bridge?,  ^c. :  in  Drain- 
incr  "*^'arshes  and  Fens,  n^aking  Turnpikes  and  Rail-Ways — ■ 
Ht  liad'been  employed  bv  tlie  Board  of  Admiralty,  at  I^er- 
triiidasnd  Malta,  and  had  laid  out  for  the  Iving  of.Sweden  the 


OF  XGllTH-CAnOLINA.      _^  w'      «    A        1^ 

Great  Canal  from  GvittLiibi'.rg  «e»  tlv"  North  Sta^  T!ie  ':  ard 
-cosiiirmcd  the  contract  made  by  Mi^  Browne  wii!)  Mr.  Fu  ioo, 
and  ditw  up  for  l-i ni  "the  Instructions  Avhich  are  found  in  thfe 
foil  ••^■'r^g  "■  View  of  thc'Litcrnal  Improvements  contcmphdcdbu 
ihe  Lcf^i^laturc  of  Nofih  Carolina?'*  ' 

Mr.  Fulton  siatfd  l^  the  !loard,  that  he  must  niakc  lilh-jse'lf 
Scquninted,  in  the  fiist  ])lace,  with  the  Geography  of  the  Slate  ; 
tli^;..  siu:h  a  krvovvlcdgp  was  indispensably  necessary,  before  lie 
(  -uic^  ohm  the  Irtierual  rmprovenients  \i-hich  the  Legislature 
I  oiiti.  mplattd. ,  H^J  was  therefore  advised  to  visit  the  princi- 
|)c.i  ikivers,  andi.g^ive  thciria  cUtsor\-  examination,  and  instruct 
the  5>tverai  Companies  as  to  the  imr.udiate  Works  in  which 
they  were  eiigaged  ;  to  traverse  thc^  State  as  extensive  iy  ;".o  he 
could;  and  Icat  n  not  only  its  Geography  but  its  I'opograpiiy  at 
ihf;sc- p'  ints  where  Publir  Works  were  contem])lated.  In  pu;- 
f.uance  oi"  this  adv-iGe,  Mr.  Fulton  visited  the  Nt use,  t4>^  'i'ar, 
li.e  Cap'  -Ftar,  the  Yadkin  and  the  Catawl.'a  ;  and  the  result: 
of  hi's  txamiviaiion  oi  those  iiivers  ^vill  be  laid  btibre  the  ue^it 
Generd'  Aasembh'. 


«20    >^.\\^V.     ,y    c^SNTERNAL  IMPROVEMENTS 

<\ 

IIamilton  Fulton,  Esq. 

T^IFj  Comniissioners  herewith  submit 
to  you,  a  Vie'.v  of  (he  Internal  iiiiproveinents  conttMnplured  by  tiie 
Legislatute  of  Nortli-Carolina,  vvili)  such  renriiks  tiiereMsn  a.*  ti)ty 
suppose  nia_v  aid  you  in  your  enquiries  upon  tl^e  several  subjects 
committed  to  your  care  as  Friticipal  Kngineer  of  t'se  State. 
Witb  inucii  esteem,  I  atn,  Sir, 
Your  obedient  Servarii, 

A.  D.  MURPHEY,  Chairman,  S^'c 
August  10,  1819. 


ti  View  of  the  Internal  Improvements  contempUded 

by  the  Legislature  of  JS%rih-C(troluui, 


The  Internal  Improvements  contennplated  by  the  Legislature 
of  North-Carolina,  relate 

1.  To  the  Inlets  on  our  Coast. 

2.  To  tlie  Sounds  aton<j;  the  Coast. 

3.  To  tl.e  Priu^ary  llivers. 

4.  To  the  junction  ol  two  or  more  of  those  llivers  by  navigable 
Canal;--. 

5.  To  the  Public  Highways. 

6.  To  the  Draining  of  tiie  Marshes  and  Swamps  of  the  Eastern 
and  Sfjuthern  Counties. 

In  the  application  of  the  Public  Revenue  to  the  various  ob- 
jects of  Internal  Improvement,  the  Legislature  has  had  due 
regard  to  the  several  sections  of  the  State,  and  is  anxious  to 
give  eifect  to  a  system  which  is  general,  and  at  the  sanic'tirae 
definite.  One  part  of  the  State  requires  Improvements  very 
different  from  thbse  required  in  anothtr.  The  counties  bor 
denng  on  the  Mountains  are  at  a  distance  from  Markets,  and 
have  to  rely  on  land-carriage  for  getting  their  productions  tJ 
thi  m.     These  counties  require  good  turnpike  roads. 

The  middle  counties  are  intersected  by  fine  Rivers,  which 
are  now  useless  for  the  purpose  ot  Navigation,  on  account  of 
obstructions  which  nature  has  placed  in  them.  Those  coun- 
ties require  those  obstructions  to  be  removed  and  the  Rivers 
to  be  made  Navigable.  The  counties  to  the  South  and  Eastj 
suffer  disease  and  pestilence  from  their  numerous  and  exten- 
sive Swamps  and  Marshes:  their  finest  lands  lif  neglecte^, 
^nd  labour,  instead  of  being  directed  to  the  pursuits  of  a  pr«? 


UF  NOUTH-CAROLINA,  g  j[ 

;«iuc'ive  Agriculture,  is  tarried  to  the  making  of  Tar  and  the 
<collecting  of  Turptrntine.  All  the  coiiulirs  of  the  State  are  in- 
terested M  improving  the  inlets  upon  our  Coast,  and  concen- 
trating at  a  fcw  points  ur  scatt-r' d  Commerce.  Individual 
capita!  is  insiifBcient  to  cllect  any  of  those  great  objects.  They 
require  the  resources  ot  the  ijtate  ;  and  in  no  way  can  those 
resources  he  so  well  applied  as  in  malcmg  impr  vcm.nts, 
which  shall  aid  the  health  and  raise  the  moral  condition  of 
Our  populati<)n  ;  which  shall  give  encouragcineat  to  industry 
and  lacilitics  to  Commerce. 


The  Inlets  on  our  Coast. 

T^he  plans  of  improvement  for  ihe  interior  of  the  State,  ar© 
intimately  connected  with  the  Inlets  on  our  Coast.  At  pre^ 
sent,  there  are  only  two  Inlets  from  which  there  is  a  coinmu«- 
nicati(m  with  the  Interior — These  are  at  Ocracocke  and  Cape- 
Fear.  There  are  two  other  Inlets,  Old  Topsail  at  B.-auiort, 
and  Bogue  at  Swansborough,  to  which  attention  is  invited,  for 
reasons  which  will  hereafter  be  explained.  Fhe  Inlet  at  Cape- 
Fear  is  the  best  in  the  State,  and  is  better  situate  than  any 
•ther  tor  the  general  Commerce  ot  the  middle  and  we  tern 
counties.  At  the  mourh  of  the  Caor -Fear  ih-r-  are  two  In- 
lets, one  over  the  nrjain  Bar  at  Smithville,  having  a  depth  of 
seventeen  feet  water  at  high  tides  ;  the  other  lately  formed, 
and  therefore  called  the  New  Inlet,  having  a  depth  of  thirteea 
feet  water  ov^■r^the  Bar.  This  Inlet  is  thounrht  to  be  gradu>». 
^Ily  deepening,  and  in  the  course  of  the  next  fiftv  years  will 
probably  have  eighteen  feet  of  water.  It  is  protected  l)y  the 
promontory  and  shoals  of  Cape  llatteras  from  the  North-East- 
wardly  currents  of  the  Oulf  Stream  ;  and  the  current  s  tting 
through  it  has  its  deposits  carried  to  the  South  bv  the  trdclf 
current  which  sets  down  the  coast  from  Cape  Look-out,  which 
current  lodges  these  deposits  upon  the  Northern  part  of  the: 
promontory  and  shoals  of  Cap' -Fear. 

At  the  main  Bar  at  Smithville,  may  be  seen  very  distinctly^ 
the  operation  of  those  causes  which  are  constantly  changing 
the  condition  of  our  Co  ist — The  Gulpli  Stream,  runnini^  wittx 
a  velocity  of  nearly  three  miles  in  an  hour,  sweeps  along  tc» 
the  Norfh-East,  distant  only  about  thirty  miles  from  the  Har;S 
.an<!  gives  motion  in  that  direction  to  a  great  m  iss  of  water^s 
jjaeartj  to  th»  Cc»ast ;  wh.i..h  mass   meeting   with  the   cur^re^i 

Q 


88  INTERNAL  TMPROVEMliKT S 

fro;T»  the  Cipe-F''?r,  forms  an  eddy,  \n  vvhich  the  cJeposVts 
io  nupg  tht  proivi- ntory  'H;d  slioals  of  CiiOc-Fear  hiiN  c  btcu 
rhacic.  Tot  St  dep'  sita  have  giacluaily  extended  the  shoals  and 
prolvngfd  ihe  piomfmtory  ;  and  ihe  conaMjiicnce  has  been, 
that  the  eddy  curr.  nt  seitiiig  down  the  coabt  Irum  this  pronson- 
t'lv.  h.:^  gradually  increased  in  strength,  and  is  now  fast 
washiii  ;  an  ay  the  sands  from  the  South  Western  side  o!  ihe 
Pron-ontury,  and  depositing  them  ou  Oak  ibland  to  the  Souih- 
Wtst  of  the   Inlet. 

This  '  arrcDt  has,  within  the  recviiection  of  the  old  Pilots  at 
Sn  lUviru ,  encroachtrd  tr.ore  than  half  a  mile  upon  Bald  Hc:.d, 
atid  prolf  >^ged  iht  head  lap.dsol  Oak  Island  a  greater  distance. 
'1  hose  Pih  fs  are  of  opinici.,  that  within  a  few  years,  th(  pio- 
m  i  t(  ry  ol  Bii'id  Plead  v,  ili  be  extended  to  the  Frying-Fiin 
Shoais.  T"-  curreivcs  are  continually  changing  the  channels 
ovtr  the  J  ;  bat  amidst  all  those  changes,  the  depth  of  wa- 
ter coniin  es  nearly  the  sani  :  and  unlehS  the  strength  oi  the 
current  trorn  the  Cnpc-Ft  ar  should  he  considera  ly  Wiakii'-^j 
by  the  wideriig  pvd  deepeni\ig  ol  ihe  New  inltt,  the  same 
depth  ot  water  ma\  conlinuer 

Iht  crntral  situarion  of  the  Cape-Fear  River,  the  improve- 
ir.t  t  of  wh^c^  us  Navigatt>  n  is  3usc(  ptible,  the  possibility  of 
bringing  to  it  she  trade  «  1  two-thirds  ol  the  Slate,  the  supui- 
crifv  <;i  n'-  Inlets  t(5 'any  other  on  eur  C'.ast,  render  any  thing 
C(Hint ctt d  with  improvements  on  this  River  of  peculiar  impoi- 
tai  ce — And  it  may  here  be  pr-'ptT  to  notice  certain  facts  inti- 
fr;ately  connec  >d  wuh  the  Navigation  and  Commerce  of  tl  is 
Ri\'r.  The  CpeFf  ar  receives,  a  lutle  above  the  Towr.  of 
\^ilmington,  Bl  tk  River  arvd  the  North-Fast;  and  a  few 
irihs  below  this  Town  stretches  out  to  the  width  of  nea'ly  a 
H»iU ,  and  gradually  -wid'  ns  until  it  rtathts  the  Bay  at  Sn>ith- 
vil?  . 

Wi?mingt  n  s  distant  tliirty  miles  from  Smithville  j  and 
the  t'de  ••'  iih  varies  at  Smithville  from  four  to  six  frtt,  va- 
ried at  ^^  ih-ninpton  fr  m  -eightten  inches  to  two  and  an  half 
ftf".  Th  firsi  edd'.  produced  by  the  meeting  of  the  current 
ot  he  i-Jnrr  '.\*^,h  th:;t  of  ihfc  tides,,  is  tjcarlv  twentv  miles  be- 
low V^' I  n'Mpton  ;  and  in  this  f'dy  a  deposif  is  made  which 
f(!r-rs  »vi:t  IS -ailed  "the  Fl:*;-."  Over  these  Flats,  at  high 
ti'''  ri  r^  s  .1  ven  f  ft  wj^tM,.  Vessels  drawinj.'  more  than 
el  !*«?r!"  "  uer,    i*    cf>mf;;  ilv\!  to  lighter  at  the  Flats,  and 

a''  \  r^fv:!  to    )uch   /xp:  nse  -.'lul  inconvenience    on  that  ac- 

^  II.  -,  ■^''  \\  f V-  ngf  ,r>  rontiiiue  to  be  the  principal  port  of 
the  C  ^  ar,  f  uill  !<  come  a  subject  of  interesting  enqui- 
ry, whciner  this  obstruction  tc   the  Navigation  of  that  Rivet- 


C^F  NOUTH-CAROLINTA.  2B 

&ir\  he  p-^rmRnenMv  removed? — If  the  deposit  be  made  b^  the 
t|i  :tiiug  of  ti'.e  currents  of  the  River  and  ;iv<j  tult*,  wiii  u  ue 
])  s*i!)le  to  prevtnt  it?  or  will  it  be  possible  to  varv  the  Ijce 
a.KlinHont'r  of  the  di.-p^^sit,  s^i  tliwt  a  dee|)  ch  rw:  k    it 

O'vn)  i      Y\\     Flats  extcTAl  about  three  huiHir'-u       ■■.  and 

d  )\vn  the  Rircr.  The  deposit  is  a  ii^jht,  soft  ii>i  ui,  .i..»a  ves- 
sels often  ploi^gh  through  it  to  the  dtpih  oi  two  feet. 

'»Vhcn  the  colony  first  settled  upon  tht-  Capi:-Fcas%  th-i  scite 
Si  tected  tor  a  shipping  port,  was  al  Bruiiswick,  a  suort  diS- 
ta  icc  below  the  Flats.  For  sixts  years  after  the  scalcincat 
of  the  colony,  Lumber  anr^  N  .,  1  Stores  constituted  ihc  prin- 
cjnul  articles  of  export  iruiiithe  Capt-Fear  :  The  wiJ.a  of  the 
Ki  rr  bel-nv  Wilaiiiigton,  exposed  it  to  the  iniiucrtce  of  the 
^v  'ids,  and  rendered  the  descent  o^"  rafts  o*  Lurn;>cr  a  id  N  v,il 
Si.'. res  dangerous  :   A'd  this  c         .i  River  w;is  coisi'...    1 

also  dangrrf)U3  to  the  Boats  which  descetidrd  the  River,  ir  i^ 
the  interior  o/ the  country — Fhcse  circu-nstanc  s  inria  eel  , me 
government  to  patronise  the  growth  of  aiowahig.;et  jp,  wncre 
th.  River  was  narrow  j  aud  the  olutT  at  Wd  ningi  >n  w.is  se- 
lf cted.  If  this  removal  of  the  seat  of  trade  was  aa .  -  viblc  at 
the  time  it  was  made,  the  change  which  has  s  nee  tk.n  place 
in  the  condition  of  the  country,  the  increased.amount  -f  Agri- 
cnltiirai  products  for  exportation,  and  the  unhca  .'.Uiuss  f 
Wilningt  )n,  certainly  render  it  at  least  pro  U  in.iiticdi  wh.  ihvr 
it    s  to  b  •  considered  benefi  ial  at  this  day. 

Wilmiiigtoa  is  situate  on  the  Eastern  side  of  the  River,  h  '  « 
ang  to  the  West  extensive  rice  bwanps  he  xnalations  tr  la 
which  destroy  the  health  of  its  inhai)Uants.  The  evil  might 
p  ssioly  be  in  a  great  degree  remedied  by  draining  the  s\v<4  ..^'6 
ai.  i  changing  their  culture. 

W  imiiigton  has  good  water,  perhaps  the  best  in  the  Sou- 
thern Ports,  The  water  in  the  Kjver  is  fresh,  and  vessels  eaa 
lie  at  anchor  wi.hout  dang-.r  from  tht"-  worm,  whii  h  soon  des- 
troys them  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rver,  and  secure  from  the 
danger  of  tempests.  These  are  d'-jcided  ad v ant  iges,  and  ren- 
der Wilmington,  in  the  opinion  of  many^  the  most  eligible 
port  fi-r  the  Cape-Fear.  A  contrary  opinion  is  entertained  by 
others,  vi^ho  think  that  Smithvd-e  is  thf*  m'>st  <  bgi'^l-  p  r,-,  and 
the  one  which  the  government  should  patronis  .  Th.  Bay  at 
Smithville  is  fi  e  miles  wide,  protected  on  the  North  by  the 
main  land,  on  the  North  Eastbv  Bald-head,  and  on  the  South- 
West  by  Oak  Island.  Smithville  is  situated  on  the  Bay,  open 
to  the  sea  over  the  main  Bar,  and  no  ohj-cn  )o  is  made  to  its 
healthiness.  It  is  the  place  of  resort  for  the  people  o*'  VVd- 
,m>n,':;ton  daring  the  .ssQkly  ajonths  of  Summer  and  Autuma-*!.^ 


i|4  "rK-TERNAL  1MPR0VEMF.NT3 

The  channel  for  vessels  lies  ne:'>r  to  the  main  land,  and  wharvf^g. 
snav  be  '  xrended  to  the  channel.  All  vtss-  Is  \^'hi(  h  t-nxcr 
through  cht  Ni  w  Inlet,  or  ovt-r  the  main  Bar,  'an  lie  in  this- 
channel  The  objections  to  Smithville  are,  l^t,  the  wid'h  of 
the  Kiv.  r  for  nearly  thirty  mil<  s  a!^ove.  2:\,  the  worm  vvhich 
«]estro\s  vessels  that  lie  lorj^  ai  anchor.  'I'he  introduction  of 
Steam  Boirs  upon  trie  Cape-Ftar  has  rem-»ved  the  first  objec- 
tion, >»s  to  all  articles  for  exportati<^>f^  except  lui?  bcr  and  na- 
val stores.  The  second  obje  tion  ma\  possiblv  be  done  a va' ay 
Ly  the  :onstruGtion  of  Docks  to  be  supplied  wlih  fresh  water 
Irom  Ehzwbeth  Kivrr.  Whether  Wilmington  or  Sniithville- 
sl'f  uld  ')e  patr<)ni,zcd  by  the  government,  as  the  principal  pore 
for  the  Cape- Fear,  is  a  question  of  great  importance  to  the 
state,  and  iniimaiely  connected  with  the  plans  of  Improvement 
for  transferring  to  the  Cape-Fear  the  trade  of  the  Pedee  and 
Lumber  Riversa 


OevncGche  Inlef. 

Through  Ocracoclce  Inlet,  shipments  are  made  from  the  Ro- 
anoke, the  Tar  and  the  Neuse  Rivers.  It  is  inconveniently 
eituiite  for  the  Ruanoke,  and  a  voyage  from  the  hcailof  Aibe» 
anarlt  sound  to  Ocracocke,  is  thought  to  be  ».  qual  to  a  vo\  age 
from  Ocracocke  to  New  Y^  rk  or  to  the  VVc&t  Indies.  The 
I!Sr.»vigation  off  tlie  toiiist  at  Ocracijcke  is  dangerous;  the  chan- 
riel  acr'iss  the  B.ir  is  variable  and  difticult  ,  within  the  Bar 
lies  ;he  Swa^h,  over  which  there  are  only  right  feet  of  water, 
and  within  the  swash  there  is  no  harbour,  nor  good'anchorage* 
groun  ^  No  p^rt  of  our  coast  seems  to  bg  subject  to  gr.  ater 
or  more  freqaent  chang'-'^  than  that  near  Ocracocke."  The  gr>?,t 
anass  of  wau  rs  in  the  Albt  marie  and  Pamptico  Sounds,  sujy- 
jjlied  by  numerous  rivers,  pass  out  to  sea,  principally,  thiough 
this  Inlet:  and  some  idea  of  the  strength  of  the  current  which 
sets  through  this  Inlet  may  be  formed,  from  the  fact  that 
there  are  scarcely  any  perceptible  tides  in  the  Sounds.  This 
currer  t  meeting  the  current  of  the  tide,  forms  an  eddy  within 
the  Bar,  in  which  a  deposit  is  m;>de  which  forms  the  swash. 
The  InlKt  has  widened  very  much  within  the  last  fifty  years^ 
5ind  the  depth  of  water  across  the  Bar  has  lessened.  It  is 
6aid,  that  at  present  this  depth  does  not  exceed  fourteen  i^et. 
Vessels  drawing  more  than  eight  feet  water,  have  to  lighter 
jh  cross"- !-.o;  the  •vfisr,  ;  ami  this  circumstance,  -idded  to  the 
.6therof  there  being  no  harbor,  renders  the  Navigation  throii"^^ 


OF  NOKTH  CAROLINA.  ,  %B 

M;his  Inht  not  only  inconvenient,  but  o^'ten  extremely  dange- 
rous. To  lessen  the  inconvenit  nee,  it  has  been  proposca  to 
use  CitDi  Is  for  taking  vessels  across  the  swash  ;  and  to  lessen 
the  diuigtrs  ^t  Navigation,  it  has  been  proposed  to  sink  P  is, 
ni  <jriiig  A..chors  and  Chains.  The  prculiar  gurgitatincr  qta- 
liiy  of  the  sands  tt  tliis  Ll.  i,  r^^ndcrs  it  v;;-)  doubtful  whether 
any  eiectionof  piers  would  prove  permanetii.  V<sstls  which 
hav^  been  w^^eck  d  here,  have  been  quickly  swallowed  vip  in 
the  sands,  ai>d  .'ihcr  vessels  now  sail  over  thvm.  If  the  Inlet 
continue  to  widen,  the  ciei)th  nf  water  over  the  Bar  will^con- 
tinue  to  decrease,  and  this  will  be  followed  bv  an  increase  of 
dtposis  at  the  swash.  This  swash  is  lik{  the  Flats  of  the 
Cape-Fear,  of  nearly  the  same  width,  and  iormed  of  the  s  'me 
sort  of  light  mud,  which  changes  its  position  at  almost  every 
storm — I  he  Commerce  of  the  Tar,  the  Neusc ,  and  the  Roa~ 
ni.k  (except  s(>  much  of  the  latter  as  goes  to  Norfolk,)  is  de- 
pendent upon  the  Inlet  at  Ocracocke  ,*  and  ahhc'Ugh  so  lar  as 
thesubj.ctis  now  understood,  there  seems  to  be  but  li'tle 
ground  to  hope  that  this  Inlet  can  be  so  improved  that  a  safe 
and  commodious  Navigation  can  be  had  through  it,  yet  ii  a 
hetter  Outlet  cannot  be  found  for  the  rich  cooimerce  of  these 
Rivers,  su  h  improvi  ment  should  be  made  a  Ocrac-cke  as  the 
situation  of  the  Inlet  iwill  admit,  and  the  revenues  of  the  State 
be  able  to  meet, 

Thv  difficulties  and  dangers  attending  the  Inlet  at  Ocracocke, 
have  directed  the  public  att>  ntion  1st.  To  the  openmg  of  an 
Inlet  :)i  the  low -r  end  of  Albemarle  Sound.  2dlv,  To  tht  o» 
pening  of  a  communication  by  Navigable  Canals  irom  tne  Ro- 
anoke to  the  Inlet  at  Beaufort,  or  at  Sivansbornugh  :  ?nd  .n- 
^enttating  at  one  port  the  Commerce  of  the  Roanoke,  the  Taf 
■and  the  Neuse« 


The  opening  of  an  Inlet  at  the  lower  end  of  Alhe^- 
marie  Sound, 

Whether  a  suitable  Inlet  for  commercial  purposes  can  be- 
tornied  at  the  lower  end  of  Albemarle  Sound,  is  an  enquirj' 
which  has  been  deemed  of  so  much  importance  to  the  State, 
that  the.  General  Assembly  have  appointed  a  Board  of  Com- 
missioners to  condu.  t  it,  wi;h  powers  to  employ  competent  En- 
gineers to  determine  it.  This  t  nqiury  derives  its  imp^.rtance' 
frum  the  River  Roanoke,  which  is  sec'^nd  onlv  to  tht  Hifr^sbn 
ru  .Tjoiat  of  extent  and  the  Icrtilicv  of  its  lands,  in  the  Atlan^ 


tk  States.  Without  such  an  ij.i -t,  .rppreh  .sicms  are  cntcr-^ 
tained  that  the  Commerce  ot  this  liivt  j  wiil,  tlir  -ug  .  in  DU 
mi*\  Swamp  Canal,  pa'^s  to  Norfoik.  Ttic  Liiiiacn  s,  ^  •wH 
ss  tbc  interest  ol  this  State,  is  deeply  toa  ;crncd  in  scu.uig 
this  Cwmnjerc"  J  and  it  v.'ill  bt;  one  vf  the  iinj)ortant  »:nqa  • 
rjts  submiued  to  the  Principal  Enij^incer,  how  tins  caa  tj<.  ^f- 
fecttd. 

Two  plans  have  been  proposrd  ;  one  to  open  nit  in!f*  at  the 
lower  tnd  oi  Albennarle  Sound  :  the  Ofcher  to  dsvcrt  the  rr.i  Js 
of  the  Roanoke  to  some  Inlet  now  txisliiig  upon  oi^r  coa>^i  — 
Two  questions  have  of  late  b^jfu  agitated  in  ti  is  Si.ii  :  One, 
whether  Soy  of  lh«:  vessels  oi  Sir  Walter  HiU:»i>^.h  cross*,  d  crte 
-Bar:  I'he  other.  thr(.ugh  what  Inlet  his  tm-i>  eni«.rrd  when 
they  canrsf  lo  Roiir.oke  island.,  !t  is  alKgcd  by  3  me,iiiaLhi3 
■^rRse!;?  ailchoted  oil  the  Coast,  and  hia  boats  oiih  it.-'sscd  the 
1j  r  t  it  is  alleged  by  othtrs,  that  the  vcss-  !s  crossed  the  Bar 
avtd  anchort  d  under  Roanoke  Island,  No  satisiactury  ni  r- 
iTvatifK!  has  been  procured  upon  these-pi  ints,  nor  is  ;  pr*  aole 
that  :!iy  such  inlorma'ion  an  now  be  hati,  ^yuhui.K  ..c  ->5.  la 
thr  Maps  and  Papers  of  Dr.  Harriott,  the  Astroni.f^v  j  ,  wno 
accompanied  Sir  U'aker  Ralejgh,  and  made  charts  o;  ibat.  p.irt 
of  our  Goasl,  and  wrote  ar»  account  ot"  the  -xpr-iiii  "ti.  I'  is 
isr.cierstood  that  these  Charts  and  Piip'r§.  t  Doct.  :^  rii/Ct 
^.'cre  bequeathed  by  him  to  the  Univers3?A  -,1  Ox.  ;  .  ii 
Pet«  r  Browne,  Enquire,  a  Membi  r  oi  this  Bowil,  O'jW  i..  K>:g« 
lard,  has  been  r-.  quested  t(.  procure  copies.  Wnat  ver*douuts 
irav  rest  upon  these  points,  it  seems  cieai,  that  at  th  ti.«v  of 
Si?  Waiter  R.tleigh's  expedition,  there  w  re  tivo  Inlets  on  t  is 
par?  of  our  coast,  which  ha'-e  sine-:-  disappear,  d-  The  one 
t»»  <»  RfKinokr  Inlet,  near  to  Roanoke  Island  j,  the  oti'tr  v.  ;«■ 
liatteras,  onciently  called  Ilatteraskc  InUt,  si  '.Kite  betwteu  v_>- 
cracocke  and  the  proniontorv  of  Hatteras.  I'  .s  prubabL  tnat 
the  flosinj;  of  the  Inlets  is  to  be  ascribed,  pHn^ipaliv,  to  the 
widening  and  deepening  of  the  channels  thnjuglithe  nrjarshi  s 
^vest  of  RoHMoke  Island — Some  of  those  '  hanntb  t  sisled  at 
ihr  time  of  Sir  Walter  Raki^jh,  otherwise  he  wouid  not  have 
giv..n  the  naifte  oi  Island  xa  what  has  ever  siiicr  be*,  n  called 
*•"  Hoanckc  Island."  It  was  ascertainecJ  t-y  Mr.  P' u-e,  duri.'g 
the  last  Suinmer,  that  the  bed  of  the  Roauok  a  '^  illiamston, 
'Vi-^.z  six  feet  above  the  bed  of  Pampiico  at  W.«;^hinc;ton  :  and 
?he  strong  currents  setting  through  the  marsh,  s,  shew  that  the 
Albemarl'-  is  more  elevated  than  the  Pamptico  Sound.  T. ■  the 
Etifnfcr'if  Roauuke  Island,  lies  Croathan  Sound,  comoiuni<  r  ng 
with  the  Albemarle  to  the  North  ai>d  Pa  nptico  to  the  S  iuha 
'Jhr(jugh  tiiis  Soand,  and  through  Koanokc  Inlet,  die  Wdttr^- 


i>f  the  .Uhemarle  dischargt-d  themselves  previous  to  op'riT'irijr 
ol  t  ..  '  •)  iiiacis  ihru^iijh  th^-  Oiar^'!.  s—jnu  when  we  attend  to 
thi'  UiLi,  tnat  thv  Piimptico  \'~-  iovver  'oy  stVLral  icti  than  the 
AiiK 'Viatic,  ir  is  T;  liutred  l>;  jbablv-,  tiuu  most  ot"  the  waters  of 
t  Ai.jcinarlv  pa'ised  i6<  v-i  Crr-^.thun  Sfjiiiici,  and  that  the  .cur- 
Ti-ii    '  irough   ihc  iulvi  liiutt  necesoarjly  have  bfcn  wea'k,  und 

0  <  <■■-  ihuc  thtnc  w;'.'s  but  little  depth  ot  water.  It  is  pro- 
b  's  vicpi.h  tiid  not  escned  eight  ft-et.     As   the  ciiauuel 

1  ^,  litrnarshes  ope  tiv},  tht  currents  (hruug^i  the  inlet  aiid 
C     .id. a     S  juud  bc-camt-  weaker,  until  fihally  the  I«lct  Cosed. 

i\ic  (ipenint;  of  ihe  channels  tiirough  the  marshes  has  jiso 
^Tcn  tile  Cciuse,  probably,  of  cloiing  the  inlet  at  Ha.tcras. 
W.iiht  the  waters  of  the  Albe.Tjarie  were  divided  between 
Ko  .■  k  iiilet  and  Croathan  Sound,  the  current  setting  into 
Pimpuco  was  weaker  than  it  has  been  since  Hoan.ikt  h  let 
wa-  Liscd.  Tiiis  current,  meei;ng  the  current  trnm  the 
N  "Sv  and  Pa  nptico,  the  combintd  curreiits  were  defl  cted 
1  ough  K  1  ti  ras  Iniet,  Vv'h.  n  the.  strength  of  the  currci^t 
fro  si*in-.;  Ai  emarle -Was  ii  rcased  b\  iit  closing  of  Roac- 
oke  inlet,  it  threw  the  point  ■<(  deflection  further  to  ihe  S  j  li  ; 
ehe  consequence  of  which  w  t,  fiat  the  combined  d.  fi  cted 
current  no  longer  passefi  out  at  Hatteras  inlet,  but  m:'de  itc 
V  uy  through  the  Banks  furiher  to  the  South  ;  and  m  this  wajr 
Ocricocke  was  opened  and  Hatteras  Iidet  clos  d. 

It  the  closing  of  Roanoke  Inh  i  has  been  caust  d  by  the  open- 
Ing  (^f  the  channt^ls  through  the  nriarsh<-s,  it  is  pr'  .al)!!-  thaC 
closing  those  channels  would  opt  n  the  Inlet,  and  that  there 
wou!  '  be  a  greaier  d  ptk  of  w.,ti;r  in  tiie  Inlet  than  at  the 
^ime  ot  Sir  Walter  RaUigh  :  ior  it  is  certain  that  some  ot" 
tho';- -channels  W'  r-  open  m  his  tittie.j  The  closivig  of  Croa- 
tha  I  Sound  would  i^rth  r  improve  the  Inlet,  liy  directing  the 
^hok  current  iVonn  t've  'MbersKirle  directly  out  ;  ,  sea.  'I'his 
Would  probably  be  the  strongtrt  current  from  the  interior  to 
he  found  < '^:  our  Coast  ;  and  if  the  IiJet  could  be  prev  >i  ed 
from  wid  ".ng,  it  would  have  a  depth  of  water  equal  to  ihai 
at  Cape  Fear.>/ 

Capt.  Clarke,  late  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  txan.ined 
■these  Sounds,  undt?r  the  direction  of  the  Commissioners  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Assembly.  His  Map,  shewing  the 
<)irection  of  the  sever  •  irrents,  is  filed  in  the  office  of  Secre- 
tary of  State. 

The  objections  wh  ch  have  been  urged  to  the  forming  ef 
t^his  Inlet,  are, 

1st.  Tiie  magnitude  and  exnense  of  the  work;  compared  with 
tli<i  rcEuurces  of  the  State." 


^^S  ^'TRRNAL  IMPROYEMEMTS 

2d.  Tlie  diiTruitv  of  procuring  materials  for  a  peKnutipivi; 
barrier  across  the  marsht?'* 

otl.  i'he  jiur^iUitin<;;  quiility  ot  the  sands  on  t!ie  Coast.  It  in 
said,  h'lvvever,  tiiat  a  clay  foundatitvii  can  be  had  across  the 
marshes.  It  is  not  proiiahie  ti-at  such  a  foundation  can  be 
had  across  Croatlian  ^omd — W  ilhoiit  it,  iUiy  barrier  which 
niig'it  be  erected,  would  soon  be  swallowed  up  in  the  sands. 

4th.  The  general  direction  of  the  winds  along  this  part  of  the 
coast. 

jjSth.  That  such  a. barrier,  if  erected,  wouM  not  have  the  car'.- 
tain  effect  of  openini;  the  Inlet:  that  the  waters  of  the 
Sound  mi2;ht  be  dischar^'ed  through  Cur.ituck  Iniet,  or  new 
channels  be  opene<l  into  Pauiptico.  This  objection  i-)  cer=. 
tainly  weak  ;  for  the  great  press  of  water  in  <iur  Sounds  is 
to  the  South- West ;  the  Albemarle  Shoals  towards  ('ui:i- 
tuck  Inlet  ;  and  nothing  but  prevai'inu;  Sonth-West  wuids 
could  press  a  strong  current  in  that  direction. — As  to  the 
sup(tositiun  that  new  channels  niii^ht  be  formed  to  the  West 
of  tlie  present  channels,  the  width  of  the  land  to  be  broken 
througl),  its  quality  and  texture,  render  such  a  suppositioa 
iiT  utidiess. 

loth.  It  is  said  that  a  current  sets  down  the  coast   from  the 
Southern  Cajie  of  the  Chesapeake,  and   that  it  is  foruring  a 
shoal  bv  its  deposits  near  Roanoke  Inlet.     That  such  a  cur- 
rent sets  down  the  coast,   is  true  ;  it  is  one  ot  those  eddy 
currents  which  are  found    upon   every  coast  having  salient 
promontories    in  the    neigiiborhood  of  the    Gulph   Stream. 
But  it  is  not  probable  that  it  is  forming  a  shoal  near  Roanoke. 
Inlet ;  for  this  current  continues  down  the  Coa>t  to  the  pro-, 
inontory  at  Hatteras,  and  there  making  its  deposits,  passeSi 
<itt  around  that  promontory.     No  reason  can  be  assigned  why 
this  current  of  itseff,  should  !orm  a  shoal  near  Roanoke  In- 
\  let.     The   shcal    which   has  been  spoken  td,  no  doubt,  wai 
formed  in  distant  years,  by  the  meeting  of  the   current  set-^ 
ting  down  the  Coast,  with  tlie  current  throug.'i  the  Inlet,  and 
lies  probably  to  the  South  of  the  Iniet. 
The  Engineer  will  be  able  to  ascertain  many  other  facts  re> 
iative  to  the  currents  upon   the    Coast,   and   correct  errors  in 
the  statements  which  have  been  here  made.     It  is  a  subject  qf 
much  interest,  and  one  that  requires  grt?.t  attention. 


Vld  Topsail  Inlet  at  Beavfort,  and  Bogue  Inlet  at, 
S%vansbovons;h. 

-Forming  an   Inlet    at  ihc    lower  end  of   Albemarle  Soundy. 
*'0ulcl  subserve  the  purposes  of  the  Roanoke  tr.-ide  .ouiy.-** 


OP  NORTU-CAROLLViu  29 

The  forming  of  this  Inlet  would  close  the  passages  to  it  from 
inc  Tar  and  Ncuse  Rivers^  and  the  commerce  of  these  Rivers 
must  still  depend  upon  Ocracocke,  or  find  a  new  channel 
through  the  Inlet  at  Beaufort  or  Swansborough — It  it  impor- 
tant, in  many  points  of  view,  to  have  the  -Inlet  at  Beaufort 
carefully  examined:  It  is  believed  to  the  best  Inlet  upon  ouf 
Cfjiist  North  of  the  Cape- Fear.  It  is  situate  close  under  the 
lee  shore  of  Cape  Look-oat,  and  protected  from  the  influence 
of  the  Gulph  Stream  by  the  promontory  and  shoals  of  Cape- 
Fear.  It  has  been  found  subject  to  fewer  changes  than  any 
of  our  Inlets.  It  has  a  depth  of  fourteen  feet  water  over  the 
Bar;  and  within  the  Bar,  there  is  an  extensive  and  safe  har- 
bor. The  town  of  Beaufort  is  healthy,  and,  like  Smithville,  is 
the  resor*:  of  people  from  the  towns  in  the  interior  during  tflfe 
sickly  months  of  the  j'ear.  Two  plans  have  been  proposed  of 
concentrating  at  Beaufort,  the  trade  of  .the  Roanoke,  I'ar  and 
iSfcuse  Rivers — 

1st.  By  Navigable  Canals  commencing  on  the  Roanoke  at  op 
near  the  town  of  Williainston,  and  extending  to  tlie  Pamp- 
tico  at  Washington  ;  thence  across  to  the  Neuse  by  the  way 
of  Blount'd  Creek  and  Swift  Creek  ;  tlience  to  the  Bay  at 
Beaufort  by  the  way  of  Clubfoot  and  Harlowe's  Creeks'. 
£dly.  To  make  a  Canal  between  Clubfoot  &  Harlowe's  Creeka 
Navigable  for  Steam  Boats  ;  and  with  these  Buats  to  collect 
the  produce  of  the  Rivers  running  into  the  Albemarle  and 
Painptico  Sounds,  and  concentrate  it  at  Beaufort  fur  ship- 
ment. Steam  Boats  can  navigate  those  Sounds  with  safe- 
ty :  and  can,  in  the  present  condition  of  the  Rivers,  navi- 
gate the  Roanoke  to  Halifax;  the  Tar  to  Tarborousih,  the 
Neuse  to  Smithfield,  the  Chowan  and  Meherriii  to  Murfrees- 
borough,  and  the  Pasquotank  to  Elizabeth.  The  produce 
collected  at  these  several  towns,  and  also  at  Plymouth,  E* 
denton,  Washington  and  Newbern,  could,  by  Steam  Boats, 
be  safely  and  quickly  taken  to  Beaufort  for  shipment;  and 
merchandise  be  distributed  from  that  place  to  tliose  several 
towns.  It  is  probable  too,  that  by  giving  to  the  Canal  be^ 
tvveen  Clubfoot  and  Harlowe's  Creeks  a  suitable  width  and 
depth,  a  considerable  portion  of  this  trade  might  be  carried 
ou  it  in  light  schooners.  This  Canal  will  be  only  two  miles  ia 
length,  through  a  level,  rich,  alluvial  soil :  and  considerable 
expense  in  the  construction  of  it  might  well  be  incurred,  if 
the  benefits  which  are  anticipated  should  result  from  it. 

To  each  of  these  plans,  sundry  objections  are  urged. 
1.  The  expense  which  must  be  incurred   at   Beaufort  in  the 
construction  of  Wharves  :  the  channel  for  shipping  lying  aft 
a  considerable  distance  from,  the  ."vhore, 
D 


30  iNnEUKAT^  nri'RQM';MKNi;s 

2.  T'he  length  and  circuity  of  a  vojage  from   the  I'oanoke  txt 

BcaulVirt^  "  "'"■'■ 

S.  'i'hc  <lungcr  oF  nnvigiiling-  with  Steam  Bc;its  the  wide  \va- 

tct's  of  tiie  AUteinaile  nnd  Patii];tic()  Sounds. 
4.  'ihc  iinpossibility  of  can^iii;:^-  freight  iii  iltwits  tu  be  touo.-l 

1)7  bteatn  Boats  in  those  isouruls. 
.1.  The  iiinuence  of  habit  and  prejudice;  and  (he  difliculty  of 

diverting  Comincrce  from  tiie  chauneisin  wliich  it  liasbcMi 

acciistoHicd  to  How. 
G.  Till;  jealousy  and  rivalry  of  (lie  towns  now  ei)gaged  in  siiip- 

|)in_ij;  lhr<'Ugli  Ocracdcke. 

As  to  ihf.st  objtciions,  it  may  be  observed,  that  if  the  Inlet 
ftt  Bi  nutort  Ijas  fourieeii  feet  water  over  the  Bar,  this  town  en- 
4<  VK,  ir.  ihis  n  spect,  an  advantage  nearly  equal  tci  New-Or- 
leans ;  that  It  is  subject  to  fe\v,  if  any,  of  the  objections  wliich 
i^pply  to  Ocracocke,  being  easy  of  access  from  sea,  having  a 
fiiit  harbor,  and  no  swAsh  to  obstruct  the  entrance  of  vcss(.ls  ; 
bting  accessible  at  little  expence  to  all  the  trade  f)f  the  Aibe- 
iTiarle  and  P;smptico  Sounds,  and  also  healthy.  If  it  be  a  pri-! 
mary  object  with  North-Carolina  to  ship  her  own  prcduciiqns 
and  supplv  her  citizens  with  markets  at  home  for  foreign  m.v- 
chan<!i2e,  tliis  Inlet,  or  some  other  North  of  the  Capc-F«  ar 
possessing  equal  or  superior  advantages,  should  be  selected, 
and  the  liberal  patronage  of  the  government  should  bt  extend- 
ed t  >  it.  Beaufort  would  become,  to  the  se\eral  rivers  of  the 
A  btmarle  and  Pamptico'Sounds,  what  Norfolk  is  to  James 
River  ,*  and  would  give  life  and  animation  to  business  in  the  se- 
\'«rral  towns  in  the  interior,  which  now  receive  a  precarious  sup- 
port from  be  Commerce  carried  on  through  Ocracockr.— 
Wharves  w  uld  be  conr.fructed  as  prospects  opened  to  Conimer- 
cial  enterprisf .  Steam  Boats  would  be  found  to  shorten  the  dis- 
tance from  the  Roanoke  ;  and  after  navigating  the  Delaware  and 
Chesaptake  Bavs  with  safety,  and  transporting  th^  productifins 
of  the  Ohi^  and  Missouri  to  New-Orleans,  ihty  would  be 
ff  und  to  na\!',rite  the  Albemarle  and  Pamptico  without  dan- 
ger, aiid  to  transport  the  productions  of  the  country  over  those 
Avatrrs  without  inconvenience.  Prejudice  and  jealousy  could 
make  but  in-,  ffectual  struggles,  and  Commerce  would  take  the 
channel  which  the  prospect  of  profit  pointed  out. 

K   the  plan  of  making  navigabde  Canals  from  the  Koarioke 
t'l  the  Tar,  and  thence  to  the  Neuse,  be  deemed  roost  advlsa-i 
h'U:  Hr  uniting  the  trad<^  of  those  Rivers,  it  may  easily  be  pei*- 
c:  iv   d  that  this  line  of  Inland  Communication  can  be  directed 
from  the  Ncuse,  either  to  Beaufort  or  Swansborough.      Little: 
is  Vnown  of  the  Inlet  at  Swansborough  ;   but  it.  is  said  to  haven 
^raiually  deepened  far  the-  last   thirty  years,  and  to  be  little-^ 


OF  NOllTri-CAIlOLlNA.  3|; 

inferior  to  the  Inlet  at  Beaufott,  either  in  safety  of  access  from 
sea,  depth  of  water  over  the  Bar,  or  in  the  excellence  ot  its 
harbor*-  From  Ncwi)er!^,  the  clistiince  is  nearly  the  same  to 
Swansborouj;h  unci  to  B-aufort.  A  short  Canal  between  the 
J.Trent  and' White  Oalc  Rivers,  wuuld  open  a  commanicati>n 
bv  water  from  ihe  Neuse  to  the  Harbor  at  Swatisboroagh. — 
Whether  this,  or  the  port  at  Beaufort,  shall  be  selected  for 
shipj>i!)g  the  productions  of  the  princ'p;il  Kivers  cast  (jf  the 
Cape-Fear;  or  whether  Ocracocke  should  be  continued  aiid 
improved  for  this  purpose,  are  qjestions  submitted  to  the  coix*- 
'jideration  of  the  Principal  Engineer. 


Souuils  on  the  Coast 

The  Legisbtare  have  directed  a  Survey  to  be  made  of  the 
Sounds  which  stretch  along  our  Coast,  from  the  Nortli  Eas- 
tern to  theSouth-Western  extremity  of  the  State.  Fhe  object 
of  this  Survey  is  to  ascertain  how  far  it  is  practicable  to  opea 
along  these  Sounds,  an  Inland  Communication,  whicii  may  be 
of  eminent  service  in  time  of  War;  and  of  CMivenience  ia 
time  of  Peace,  The  Dismal  Swamp  Canal  now  forms  a  com- 
munication between  the  Chesapeake  and  Albemarle,  and  'he 
opening  of  the  Sounds  on  our  Coast  would  extend  this  com-, 
iTiunication  to  Little  Ri^'er,  on  the  line  of  South  Car«hna^- 
There  is  a  succession  of  these  Sounds,  Irom  the  norihera  part 
of  Currituck  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  Cap.-  Fear;  but  be-, 
t'vten  P»ogue  Inlet  and  Cape-Fear,  the  channel  is  both  cr  >ok- 
©d  and  shoal,  and  this  probably  is  the  case  in  many  [jiacea 
hetvveen  Bogue  Inlet  and  Ocracocke.  A  cut  of  a  few  miles 
is  recj'jired  to  unite  these  Sounds  with  the  Cape-Fear — South, 
ef  the  Cape  Fear,  a  cut  of  less  than  two  miles  will  unite  Eli- 
zabeth River,  which  runs  into  the  Bav  at  Smithville,  with, 
Lockwood's  Folly  Bay,  and  from  that  Bay  to  Little  River, 
there  is  a  continued  Sound.  The  advantages  ol  such  an  In- 
land communication  by  water,  in  time  of  War,  are  obvious:. 
in  time  of  Peace,  the  advantages  would  be  great,  if  the  Sounds, 
fidmit  of  Steam  Boat  navigation.  For  they  would  form  a  safe 
and  easy  channel  of  intercourse  between  our  sea  port  towns 
and  those  of  Virginia  and  Maryland.  At  present,  we  know 
but  litis  of  our  smaller  Sounds* 

It  is  understood,  however,  that  their  navigation  is  difBcuIt 
even  for  small  boats.  On  these  small  Sounds,  considerable 
^lablishmeritB  h^ve  l^en  nia^e  for  the  manufacture   of  ^'^% 


3g  I^TTERNAL  rMPUOVEMENTS 

and  it  will  '^e  politic,  at  least  so  far  to  improve  thcna\  ignttur 
of  these  Sounds  and  to  connect  ih<  m  with  the  S:n  s  on  the 
Coast,  that  the  salt  could  be  boated  to  the  Commercial  townsc 


The  Vrimary  Rivers, 

The  first  Improvements  which  claimed  the  attention  of  the 
Legislature,  were  f-hose  which  were  required  for  rtndeiing  na- 
vigable our  primary  Rivers.  Ol  these,  the  Roanoke,  the  Tar, 
the  Neuse,  the  C'<.pe  F-ar,  the  Yadkin,  the  dtawba,  atul  tlic 
Broad  Rivers,  are  those  which  will  first  claim  the  attention  oJ 
th<    Pri  :Lipal   Engineer. 

Id  eximining  the  Geological  structure  of  North-Carolina, 
It  Will  be  seen,  that  a  ridge  of  Granite  extends  through  the 
State  from  Nurth  East  to  South-West,  nearly  parallel  with  the 
Coast  and  forming  in  the  slopr  of  its  Southern  margin,  the 
line  which  separates  the  primitive  and  secondary  formations 
from  the  alluvial.  This  ridge  is  connected  with  several  smal- 
ler ridges,  which  although  not  uniff^rmly  parallel,  yet  have  the 
same  general  direction  v/ith  the  main  ridge.  I'hese  ridges 
vary  m  height,  and  in  the  rock  of  which  'hey  are  composed  j. 
sometimts  exhibiting  immense  masses  of  Granite,  tbenof  Cal- 
carious  Rock,  then  of  Slate,  &c. 

In  these  ridges,  near  the  Yadkin  River,  are  found  the  GolcJ 
Mines  of  North  Carolina,  and  other  valuable  Minerals  arc 
Buppos  d  to  abound  in  them.  In  distant  ages,  these  ridges 
formed  a  barrier  to  the  waters  of  th'  Yadkin  and  Catawba,  and 
spread  ihem  over  great  part  of  the  counties  >  f  Rowan,  Iredell, 
Mrcklenburg  and  Cabarrus.  In  the  course  of  time,  these  wa- 
ters have  found  their  way  to  the  ocean,  along  the  channels  of 
the  Yadkin  and  Catawba,  having  gradually  worn  these  chan- 
cels through  the  ridges  of  Granite,  from  their  summit  nearly 
to  their  base.  This  ridge  of  Gran  te  can  be  traced  to  the 
North-East  as  far  as  Nevi'-York.  where  it  stretches  out  to  sea* 
It  is  one  of  those  peculiarities  which  distinguish  the  Geologi- 
cal structure  ol  this  Continent  from  that  of  Europe.  This,  with 
other  ridges  of  primitive  formations,  run  nearly  parallel  with 
<;he  ocean  and  with  the  main  ridge  of  the  Continent,  the  Great 
Alleghany.  The  valleys  of  our  great  Rivers,  are  at  right  an» 
gl.  s  to  these  ridges.  In  Europe,  and  particularly  in  the  Py. 
rennees,  the  Alps,  and  the  Appenines,  these  inferior  ridges 
are  lateral  to  the  main  ridge  ;  and  the  valleys  of  the  great 
Kivers  are  parallel  with,  and  between  these  inferior  ridges.— 
Those  Kivers  h^vQ  no  Falls,  like  the  Rivers  here,  v/hlch  cross 


OF  NORTH-CAROLrNA.  SO 

the  ridges  of  primiiive  formations  Mr.  Benjamin  H.  La« 
trobc,  who  has  directed  his  at:cntion  itiuch  to  this  subject,  as 
well  as  to  othi  r  branches  of  science,  is  of  opinion  that  the 
hi.-ight  of  this  ridge  of  Granite,  which  txteiids  irom  New  York 
through  this  State  to  Georgia,  is  nearly  unifonn,  until  it  reach- 
es the  Roanoke.  He  feund  that  in  the  Rivers  which  cross  it, 
there  was  a  desctnt  varying  from  125  to  128  feet,  from  the 
Tv'atcr  above  the  ridgf  to  tide- water  below  it.  This  probably 
h  neisrly  tht  dcscrni  in  the  Roanoke  between  those  two  pointSo 
But  to  the  Souch-East  of  the  Roanoke,  the  ndge  is  «f  unequal 
h<  ight  ani!  Widrri.  It  may  be  traced  on  the  Roanoke,  at  the 
F  lis  above  Kaiiiax  ;  on  the  Tar  River,  at  the  Falls  below 
L'  wisburg;  on  tlu  Neuse,  at  Lokhart's  Falls  ;  on  the  Capc- 
F^ir,  at  Bucku  rn  and  also  at  Smiiie's  Falls;  (m  the  Yadkin, 
a>  10-^  Narrows;  on  the  Catawba,  at  Rocky  Mount,  in  South- 
C-srolina,  hi.  Tlds  ridg  ,  which  has  a  width  of  ab'ut  seven 
niurs  on  the  Roanoke,  seems  to  i)e  narrower  on  the  Tar  and 
N  us.  ;  ii  widens  as  it  approaches  the  Cape-Fear,  and,  divid- 
ing into  umerous  ridges,  has  a  width  of  nearly  thirty  miles 
on  the  Yadkin,  extending  from  Fl.it  Swamp  to  the  distance  of 
several  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Uharee  river — This  ridge 
ives  to  the  Yadkin  a  fall  of  nearly  three  hundred  and  fiitv 
"cct,  and  to  the  Roanoke  and  the  Cape-Fear  a  fall  of  about 
eighty  feet,  and  is  scarcely  noticed   in  the  Neuse. 

Above  this  ridge,  each  of  the  rivers  has  several  small  falls, 
which,  with  shoals  and  ledg'  s  ol  rock,  constitute  the  obstruc- 
tions to  their  navigation.  Below  this  ridge,  each  of  the  Ri- 
vers enter  the  alluvial  lands,  and  their  navigation  is  there  ob- 
structed by  logs  and  sand  bars. 

The  Principal  Engineer  will  Survey  these  Rivers,  and  de- 
termine upon  the  best  methods  of  improving  the  navigation  of 
each  ;  whether  the  beds  of  the  Rivers  shall  be  improved  by 
sUiicrs,  or  by  dams  and  locks,  or  bv  both;  or  whether  Can^de 
shall  be  made;  and  if  so,  at  what  places  Also  how  far  up 
each  of  those  rivers,  and  their  main  branches  and  tributary 
streams,  the  navigation  for  light  boats  may  be  extended. 

H-  will  also  determine  of  what  materials  it  is  adviseable,ij\ 
the  present  condition  of  the  State,  to  construct  locks,  whether 
of  stone,  of  brick,  or  of  timber. 

The  Tar,  the  Neuse,  and  the  Cape-Fear,  are  not,  properly 
spe.iking,  primary  Rivers  ;  but  they  have  been  classed  with 
the  Roanokt,  Yadkin,  Catawba  and  Broad  Rivers,  because 
they  rise  above  and  cross  the  ridges  of  Granite  ;  and  to  distin- 
guish them  from  those  Rivers  which  rise  out  of,  or  below  this 
?idge,  and  water  only  th?'  alluviul  country. 


94  liv'TERKAL  IVrPROYEMKXrs' 

The  Legishituve  ha=;  granted  charters  to  Companies  for  im* 
proving  the  nuvii^atioji  ot  each  ol  the  pnmarv  K;Vrrs,  aiul  his 
stibsi^nbed  a  portion  ot  the  capital  stock  in  ail  the  C  unjKinrts^ 
rxce-pt  that  for  the  Broad  Rivtr.  Thcst;  Kivers  gi-ncraiiy  ia-> 
ttrsect  the  State  from  North  to  South,  and  afford  grci^t^r  la- 
ciliti;s  of  Inland  Navigation  than  are  foiind  in  any  ot  he  Ai» 
lantir  States.  The  Roanoke  is  the  most  importitnt  Riv  .  r  in 
the  State,  not  only  on  account  of  the  fertility,  bin  also  ol  the 
extent  of  the  lands  which  it  waters,  ana  the  channr  I  wh.ch  it 
':vfrords  of  bringing  to  our  markets  the  agricultural  products  of 
several  counties  of  Virginia.  The  Dan  Riv*r,  one  of  its  prin- 
cipal branches,  runs  nc.ir  to  the  Virginia  line  irom  iis  ource 
to  its  junction  with  the  Stauntoi>  ;  and  is  n  vigablc  ior  light 
f»oats  to  the  neighborhood  oi  the  Saura  Town  p4ounlviins  — 
The  Staunton,  the  other  principal  branch  of  the  Koanokr.,  lica 
altogether  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  and  can  be  made  navigable 
fbr  light  boats  to  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  The  Roanoke, 
and  its  tributary  streams,  Vvater  fifteen  millions  of  acrts  ;  of 
wfiich,  nine  millions  are  suitable  to  the  culturti  of  Tobacco, 
Wheat,  Indian  Corn,  &c.  and  the  residue  al)ounds  with  mate- 
Ti.';ls  for  lumber  and  naval  stores.  The  products  of  this  river 
iannually  for  exportation,  may  be  estimated  at  two  and  an  half 
iviiUions  of  dollars — If  proper  encouragement  were  given  to 
iridustry,  by  rendering  the  River  Davigablc,  these  products 
Vcuid  soon  exceed  five  millions. 

Thft  company  which  has  !:een  incorporated  (or  improving 
frV.e  navigation  of  the  Ronnoke,  as  received  its  charter  from 
the  Legislatures  of  North-Carol  na  and  Virginia  ;  and  each 
State  feeling  n  de"p  interest:  in  the  success  of  this  Companv, 
has  resolved  to  aid  its  efforts.  The  capital  stork  of  the  Ct.<m- 
p.any  is  fixed  at  three  hi'^ndred  thousand  dollars.  (;f  which  smn,- 
Vlrginia,  in  the  spirit  of  liberality  which  dlstinguishrs  all  her 
pu!)fic  a^ts,.  has. subscribed  eighty  thousand,  and  No'th  Caro- 
Jina  twenty-five  thousand,  reserving  to  liCrself  the  right  of  en- 
iargliig  this  subscription  to  eighty  thou  and.  Virginia  hopes 
to  direct  the  trade  of  this  fine  River  to  Norfolk;  and  will- 
certainlv  succeed,  *•  great  exertions  be  not  mtde  by  North- 
Carolina  ^o  secure  it — ;'l  he  trade  cf  this  River,  Is  a  prize  wor- 
thy of  the  high  atvibition  of  two  powerful  States — The  chance* 
rvre  certainly  in  favor  of  North-Carolina  ;  it  remains  to  be  seen 
nvhether  efforts  will  be  made  to  itnprove  them. 

The  Tar  River  rises  near  to  tiie  Virginia  line,  and  runr.inj^ 
r.early  Soutl),  discharges' itself  into  Famptico  Sound.  Near 
its  mouth,  it  receives  part  of  the  waters  cf  the  gre.it  swamp 
in  Efaufort   Ccrjntv.  v.? here  it  v.'idens  sn^  takes. the  name  of 


OP  NOUTH-CAROLESfA.  ^5- 

Pfimptico  River— It  is  navigable  lor  Steam  Boats  as  high  as 
I'.iri.o!  aii;,l>  and  its  navigation  may  be  nnproved  for  light 
b.'.its  lo  1. wisbarg,  and  probably  tnirty  miles  furiher. 

<\  Survey  of  this  KiVf.r  \Vas  made  by  Col.  Bcnjanun  F.  Bald- 
win, 111  ihi'.  year  1816,  and  his  Report  of  this  Survey  is  ia  tht> 
h.iiids  oi  tht.  principal  Engineer;  and  will  give  a  generalidca 
ol'  the  obsiructions  which  exist  to  the  navigation  of  the  Rivcr 
a^  high  up  as,  Lewisburg,  where  the  Survey  lenninated.  The 
dillicult'.es  to  be  encountered  upon  this  River  are  very  incou- 
sid;  lable,  and  it  is  strange  that  a  spirit  of  enterprise  has  not 
ion^  since  '-vei  come  them.  ~' 

T'-iO  n.iau-  of  vhe  River  indicates  the  character  of  its  prin- 
c'p.d  cX.H)ri>.  The  Tobacco  aud  Wheat  which  have  beea 
raisijd  on  the  upj5Sr  brauLhes  of  this  Kiver  in  Franklin, 
(i:,ii.ville,  Warren  and  Halifax,  have  been  waggoned  lo  the. 
iiiarl:ets  in-Virginia  ;  and  the  exports  of  Washington,  far- 
iiisli  bjt  a  poor  idea  of  the  fertility  of  the  Lands  v/atered  by 
this  Kiver,  or  of  the  wealth  of  their  inhabitants. 

Washington  is  a  Port  of  Entry,  and  is  more  conveniently 
situi\te  for  carrying  on  A  Commerce  through  Ocracocke,  than 
any  of  the  Towns  on  the  Albemarle  or  Paaintico.  It  is  sub- 
ject, however,  to  one  inconvenience.— -A  few  miles  below  tha 
To-.vn,  a  shoal  stretches  aCross  the  River,  over  which,  as  thti 
wind  sldfts  its  point,  the  water  varies  from  nine  to  eleveu 
feet  In  this  are  imbedded  numerous  logs,  which  have  fh  at- 
ed  down  the  River,  and  within  the  Harbour,  vessels  are 
sometimes  endangered  by  Cypress  Stumps,  TV'hich  shew  tlwt 
the  Channel  here  is  of  recent  formation.  These  stumps  can 
be  re  moved, "and  a  channel  opened  tlnough  the  shoal  ; — but, 
it  is  '5vt  this  time  problematical,  whether  this  channel  can  be 
ki  pt  open.  I'his  shoal  is  probably  formed  in  the  eddy  maus 
b>  the  meeting  of  the  current  of  the  River  with  the  great- 
mass  of  waters  in  the  Pamntico  Sound  :  Ard  if  tliis  be  the 
fact,  the  fleposit  of  the  River  will  continue  to  be  made  at  this 
point,  and  a  channel  across  the  shoal  cannot  be  k.  pt  oper., 
without  a  continual  removal  of  this  deposit — For  the  purpose 
•of  raising  a  permanent  fund,  to  be  laid  out  in  clearing  this 
shoal,  the  Legislature,  by  the  assent  of  the  Congress  of  the. 
United  States,  have  imposed  a  small  tonnage  duty  upon  ves- 
sels exceeding  a  certain  tonnage,  and  empowered  the  Collec* 
t  -r  of  the  Port  to  collect  this  duty,  and  appropriate  it,  undeP 
t'ie  di-ertion  of  the  Commissioners  of  Navigation  for  the 
Port. — "i'ne  improvement  of  this  shoal,  and  also  of  the  liar-- 
!■)  )ur  at  V/ashington^  \\'ill  cln'.ra  the  o.ttcnii.n  of  rhe  principal 
'.Engineer; 


8*0  iJSrTEUXAL  IMfROVENEX IS 

The  Neuse  River  also  has  its  si;urces  near  to  the  Virginia 
line,  and  runnirg  South,  discharges  iisili  inio  Pamptico 
Sound  below  Newbcrn.  Its  three  uiaui  upper  bt  imcht-s,  Kau, 
Little  River  and  Flat  River,  uiutc  in  the  South-Eastern  part 
of  Orange  County,  where  the  River  takes  rhe  name  of  Neuse. 
From  this  place,  along  the  meanders  of  the  River  to  its 
mouth,  IS  a  distance  of  three  hundred  miles.  W  hen  it  enters 
the  aihivial  country  below  Smithfield,  it  becomes  moic 
crooked  than  any  of  our  Rivers — with  little  labour  it  can  br 
made  navigable  for  Steam-Jioats  as  high  as  Smithfield,  and 
probably  higher.  Its  navigation  for  light  Bi)ats,  may  he  ex- 
tended to  the  junction  ot  its  main  branches,  anrl  probably  up 
Eno,  by  Dams  and  Locks,  to  the  Town  of  H  ilsborough. — 
There  is  no  River  of  the  same  extent  in  North-Carolina  so 
easy  of  improvement  as  the  Neuse.  Below  Smithfield,  this 
River  has  been  used  for  transporting  Lumber  and  N  ival 
Stores  to  Newbern  :  but  the  Cotton,  Tobacco  and  Wheat, 
grown  on  this  River  and  its  branches,  above  Smithfield,  have 
been  waggoned  to  the  markets  of  Virginia.  The  want  of 
these  staples  at  Nenbern,  has  prevented  the  loration  of  com- 
mercial capital  at  that  place  ;  and  as  the  Planters  and  Far- 
mers were  dependant  upon  land  carriage,  they  sought  mar- 
kets where  capital  was  to  be  iouod-  This  has  been  the  la« 
mentable  condition  of  our  trade,  not  only  on  the  Neuse,  but 
on  most  of  our  other  Rivers. 

Newbern  is  the  Port  of  the  Neuse,  from  which  are  shipped 
Lumber,  Naval  Stores,  and  large  quantities  of  Indian  Corn. 
The  River  Trent,  which  runs  into  the  Neust  at  Newbern, 
has  some  of  the  best  lands  for  Indian  Corn  in  ihe  State. 

A  considerable  quantity  of  Wheat  is  also  grown  upon  the 
Trent,  and  shipped  from  Newbern.  This  Town,  once  the  re- 
sidence of  the  Col')nial  Governors,  and  long  the  seat  of  CioV- 
t-rnmcnt,  both  before  and  since  the  Revolution,  has  gone  much 
10  decay.  The  late  Navigation  act  passed  by  Congress,  has 
contributed  more  than  any  other  cause,  to  produce  this  decay. 
The  plans  of  improvement  for  the  Rivers  of  the  Albenrarle 
and  Pamptico  Sounds,  and  the  Inlets  on  our  Coast,  it  is  hop- 
ed, will  revive  its  fortunes,  by  giving  to  it  a  new  and  an  ex- 
tensive commerce. 

The  Cape- Fear,  like  the  Tar  and  Neuse,  rises  near  to  the 
Virginia  line.  Its  main  branches,  the  Haw  and  Deep  Rivers, 
lise  near  to  each  other  ;  and  after  taking  long  and  circuitous 
courses,  unite  at  the  Town  of  Haywood,  where  the  River 
takes  the  name  of  Capt  Fear.  Its  course  is  the'>  generally 
South  to  the  Bay  at  SmithviUe.     This  river  is  navigable  ior 


OF  IsOllTli-CAROLlNic-  <^ 

Seam^Bcjats  to  l^ayetteville,  and  may  be  probably  renJered 
ii;ivi:^,,b!c  ior  small  Sieain- Boats  to  Haywood.  The  Haw  and 
D'^ep  Rivers  luivc  their  Navigation  obstructed  by  rocks, 
iihoais  and  falls  ;  but  these  diificuliifs  may  probably  be  over- 
come, and  a  navigation  b^  opened  up  Haw  River  to  the 
C:u!oty  ol  Rockingham,  and  -iip  Deep  River  to  the  County  of 
(•uiiford.  Much  labor  aud  great  cxpence  will  certainly  bci 
icquircd  to  n\ake  these  streams  navi^ai)  e,  and  such  a  work. 
mubt  necessarily  progress  slowly.  Nc\v-H:jpe  Creek,  which 
runs  into  Haw  River  two  miles  above  Haywood,  is  easily 
improved.  It  is  a  crooked  stream,  with  li  tie  tall,  and  suffi- 
cient water  for  light  Boats,  to  Patt-rson's  Mill,  distant  only 
nine  mils  trom  Hillsborough.  The  superiority  of  its  Inlets, 
and  the  excellence  ot"  its  navigation  to  Fayetteville,  have  long 
made  Cape-Fear  the  ])rincipal  channel  of  Commerce  in  this. 
State.  The  exports  from  Wilmingcon  have  generally  doubled, 
and  often  trebled,  the  exports  from  all  our  other  ports.  This 
"Rivet  claims  peculiar  consideration,  not  so  much  on  account 
of  ihe  fertility  of  its  Lands,  as  of  the  facilities  which  exist  of 
bringing-  to  it  for  shipment  the  productions  of  nearly  one- 
half  ol  the  Agricultural  part  of  the  State.  This  River  de- 
rives iinportai:rce  also  frora  its  numerous  tributary  streams,, 
•most  of  which  are  navigable  almost  to  their  sources.  The 
North  East,  the  Black  River,  the  Rock  Fish,  and  the  Little 
Rivers,  are  streams  which  water  an  extensive  tract  of  alluvial 
country,  abounding  in  inexhaustible  supplies  of  naval  stores 
and   lumber. 

The  Yadkin  rises  in  the  great  ridge  of  INIountains  divid- 
ing the  I'astern  and  Western  waters  of  the  Atlantic  ;  runa 
East  through  the  Counties  of  Wilkt-s  and  Surry  ;  thence 
'turning  to  the  Sou-th,  its  general  course  continues  the  same 
until  it  enters  South-Carohna  —  It  traverses  an  uniformly  fer- 
tile country  from  the  foot  of  tiie  Blue  Ridge.  It  waters 
r>early  six  millions  of  acres,  on  which  reside  ohe-third  of  the 
Avhite  population  of  the  State  —  At  its  junction  with  the  Uha- 
jee  River,  in  Montgomery  County,  it  takes  the  name  of  Pe- 
dee,  which  it  bears  to  the  Ocean.  From  the  South-C&rolina 
Tmc  to  the  mouth  of  Uharei:,  a  distance  along  the  River  of 
sixty  miles,  there  are  no  v^rv  serious  obstacles  to  its  naviga* 
iion.  Bctv.^een  Uliaree  and  Flat  Swimp,  a  distance  of  twenty 
miles  and  upwards,  cross  the  numerous  ridges  of  Granite 
which  form  the  Narrows  and  Fall;;  of  this  River.  From  Flat 
owamp  to  Wilkesborouyh,  near  the  foot  of  the  Mountains, 
■•tlic    navigation   ir--i',    i.a'-.>ily  be    made  good  fax  Boats  o£  V^ 


38  '  -tN  \L  IMPHOVKMKISTS' 

tons  burthen.  Durmp,  the  last  summer,  the  Rev.  Joseph 
C^U'.v.l.,  Pn  side  I  it  of  our  University,  and  Mr.  Klish* 
IMitr;-  :!,  Pr^jtV&sOrrot"  Maihematics  in  that  institution,  made 
a  §urvcy  of  tKe  Narrows  and  Foills,  with  a  view  oi"  asecriaHj- 
ing  the  fall  oi  ti)e  Hivcr,  and  whether  it  be  practicable  to 
construe,  a  Canal  along  tl\is  part  ol-  it.'  'ihcir  survey  was 
chiffiv  crinfmtd  tu  the  Western  side.  During^  the  presv^iit 
Tear,  Mr.  John  Contf-has  surveyed  the  grouuds  oh  the  East- 
tin  side  of  the  Mivcr,  with  the  samj;  view.  Their  Reports, 
with  their  Maps  and  Proiiles,  are  in  tht*.  hands  ol  the  Princi- 
pal Rf'giueer  ;  and  it  is  suljmitttd  to  him,  to  determine  what 
is  the  bc'-t  Plan  of  Improvement  to  be  adopted  tor  passnig 
the  Narrows  and  Falls  :'  whether  by  Cauais,  a  Turnpike 
Koad.  or  a,  RiviS-\V;v\'— Tac-^Cotton;  T^obacco,  Wheat,  «n.l 
other  articles  auniiallv  raised  .for  exp(>rtation  on  the  Pedc 
and  its  Branches,  in  this  State,  an  estiinattcl  at  tv/o  millions 
of  dollars.  It  this  River  were  rendered  navigable  to  Wilkes- 
borough,  that  Pov/n  would  draw  a  considerable  trade  from 
the  neighboring-  Cru^ntiesf  of  Vitginiti,  and  probaidy  iVom 
some  of  the  Counties  of  iuast-Wtnnessee.  It  is  a  much  more 
convenient  market  than  iuy  of  those  Counties  can  find  cise- 
\vhere.  T'he  coustruclion  of  a  Turnpike  Road  from  this 
town  across  the  mQUnlams  towards  Abingdon,  would  insured 
profitable  trade  fr(^m  that  quarter — As  this  Kiver  runs  into 
SDUth-GariDlrna,  ic  becomes  a  question  of  deep  interest  to  tht; 
commercial  character  of  this  State,  hsvv  its  trade  can  be  di- 
verted to  the  Cape- Fear— Th;is  question  will  be  considered 
when  the  junclioa  of  this  River  with  the  Cape-Fear  13  treat- 
ed of.  ^ 

The  Catawba  rises  near  to  tb^  Yadkin  ;  and  afttr  watering- 
a  verv  rich  country,  enters  Sou  h  Carolina.  This  Rivtr  hau 
no  gr'at  obstructions  to  its  navigation  in  this  State.  It  may 
be  improved  for  light  Boats  some -distance  above  M>  rganton. 
T'lie  great  obstructions  in  this  Rivtr,  are  at  R'cky  M  >unt,  in 
South-Carolina. — The  appropriation  of  a-mdlion  of  Dollars 
for  Initrnal  In^provements,  madt  by  the  Lr  gislature  ol  Stmth- 
Cfirolina,  at  their  last  Session,  insures  the  improveineut  of 
the  Catawba  ;  and  the  ■  armers  on  that  River  will  soon  have 
a  water  carriage  for  their  pi  ocluce  -•  Pne  navigation  of  this 
River  derives  additional  inipor^ance,  from  the  consideration 
that  it  approaches  so  t^tar  to  East- lenncs^ee.  The  trade 
froirj  that  section  ot  ct  imtry  can  casilv  be  brought  to  it.  It. 
is  understood,  that  a  good  Parnp  ke  Road  can  be  made  froirt 
the  PU'Visa  .t  G.'.r'-I.'a?,  above  M  >n!;atit()!),  by  the  Yellow 
Mountain,    on   ta  the   Tennessee    iiac,    .a.d    anot-.r  by   the 


OF  X©;iT!!-':AItOUNA.  39 

Sswanranoati   Gap,    tlyonvh'  Haucuiiibc. '   Sunh.^Toads  would 
ensuri.*  lo  -the  C.iLiiwou  a  iaigc  poruoa  oi     ilic  trade    oi  K;ibt- 

'i'iie  strcums  which  form  Broad  River,,  unite  uii  the  Sv.»uUi  o£ 
Riuhcrioird  fJounty,  and  ihcncc  piss -into  South  Carolina.— 
I'iiig  Kiveri  ijnd  its  tiiaiu  branchesv  may  be  rviidered  naviga- 
ble ior  light  boats,  to  as  to  ailorci  a  water  carriage  to  niore 
than  one  iiall' of!  the  extensive  County  of  Kutheriords— -'I'his 
Jlivi  r  IS  the  nearest  navigable  stream  to  the  people  ot  Hay- 
vviind.  and  to  a  great  paitot  the  people  oi  Buncombe.  The 
Engineer  qi  ..South-C.trolina  is  now  engaged  in  i  pruvmg  th? 
navigation  of  the  iiroad  River  in  that  State  ;  and  m  a  little 
time,  cue  inarkets-ol  ColunJ^ia  and  C^iarleston  Wii:  be  render* 
ed  ac' (;ssible  to  a  rich  and  popuit.us  ;jection  ut  this  Suite. 

The  first  object  ol  the  Legis.aiure 'i;j  tiie  system  of  Inter- 
nal Improvements  isto  render  our  iiiv-.rs  navigable,  that  the 
Farmers  may  have  a  water  ca.ru.ge  lor  tneir  produce— -and 
to  this  obj,.ct  the  avu^uiion  ol  tlie  Frincspal  Engineer  will  be 
iirst  directed. 


The  junction  of  two  or  more  of  the  Vrhnary  Mi". 
vers  hy  navigable  Cajials. 

This  Improvement  has  for  its  object's 

1.  I'he  ijpcnin^  of  new  channels  (d  Intercourse, 

2.  The  shortening  oi"  distances  i^  market. 

3.  Tlte  concentration  at  a  lew  points  ol"  the  produce  of  our 
AgncuU-ure,  ol  our  Forests,  and  ot  oui  iiivers  ;  the  growth 
at  tiioi^e  poiitts,  ol  commorcial  towns  5  and  tiie  shipping 
from  thojie  towns  thf  varioas  ai  tides  ol.  exports. 

Heretofore  the  pioduciions  of  the*  Nvrehcrn  parts  of  the- 
State,  lying  on  the  Roanoke  audits  Drunthcs,  and  also  on  the 
upp' r  parts  of  the  i'ar  and  Ncuse,  nave  been  sent  to  the 
markets  of  Vitgiuiaj;  and  the  trade  of  Broad  Rivi  r,  the  Ca- 
tawba and  Pedee,  has  gone  to  8  >uth-Carolina.  fhis  it  has 
happened,  that  we  hav^  shipped  from  our  own  Ports  not  more 
th  in  One-third  ot  our,  Agncultutal  products  ;  and  .veii  a  coni» 
siderable  portion  of  our  Stavt  s,  Lumber  and  Naval  Stores, 
.have  been  sent  to  t-ther  ports  by  the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal, 
oi>  one  side  ;  or  b)  the  Watkamaw,  Liulc  Pedee  ^clAd  Lum- 
ber River,    on  the  other.     This  untoitunaLe   division  of   our 

I'de  produces  many  bad  effects. 

I.  i\  makes  us  appear  a  pyv-T  state  in  the  union* 


40  !:<rrEU\'AL  improvements 

C  It  leaves  us  without  markets  at  liomo  :  and  tluis  we  to^9t 
the  profits  upon  our  Commerce.  Tiie  aiiiiual  loss  ('if  Coin- 
mercial  Prolit  sustained  bv  Nortii-Caroliiia  bv  not  iiavin^ 
markets  or  iier  own,  is  estimated  at  more  than  half  a  aiii- 
lion  of  dollars. 

<}.  Our  trade  being  scattered  and  most  ot'it  sent  to  tiie  neigh- 
boring states,  we  have  no  large  Comnierrial  City  :  and  our 
\vhole  population  is  devoid  ol  tliat  animating  pride,  which 
a  large  Citv  and  an  extensive  concentrated  Con\iiierce  conr 
tribute  to  inspire  -^ 

We  have  a  population  little  shart  of  seven  hundred  thou- 
sand. ^\  e  have  as  many  square  m.les  ot  Territory  as  the 
State  of  New-York.  We  have  a  soil  equal  to  that  of  most  <»f 
the  Atlaiitic  States  ;  and  yct^  the  total  amount  of  exporia 
from  our  own  Ports  falls  short  of  three  millions  of  dollars. 
It  is  probable,  the  entire  produce  of  the  State,  annually,  fop 
exportation,  exceeds  seven  millionth — The  products  of  our  la- 
bor go  to  swell  the  exports  of  Virginia  and  bouth-  Carolina, 
sjnd  give  to  those  States  a  commercial  consequence  at  our  ex- 
pence — To  remedy  these  evils,  the  Legiskiture  contrinplate  a 
system  of  Internal  Improvements,  v.hich  have  fi;r  their  ob- 
jject,  the  shipment  from  our  own  ports  of  uur  own  products. 

One  part  of  tht  system  is  to  improve  the  navigation  of  oi;^r 
principal  Rivers,  and  thus  give  to  our  Farmers  a  water  carri- 
age for  their  produce.  -  Another  part  is  to  concentrate  the 
trade  of  the  State  at  a  few  points  by  navigaMe  canals  betw^^eu 
the  principal  Rivers.     For  this  purp')se,  it  is  proposed, 

1.  To  unite  by  navigable  Canals  the  Uoanoke,  far  and  iVeuse 
Rivers,  and  to  concentrate  at  some  one  point  their  produc- 
tions for  shipment,  through  Ocracocke,  Beaufort  or  Swans- 
borough. 
i         2.  To  unite  by    navigable  Canals  the  Cape  Fear,    Pedee  and 
Catawba,    and  to  coticentrate  the    productions  of  those  Ri- 
vers upon  the  Cdpe-Fear  f<tr  sh![)ment. 
The  first  part  of  this  plan  has  already  been  treated  upon  jn 
parr.     With  a  view  of  ascertaining  its  practicability,  Surveys 
Hvere   made    during  the    last    summer    by    Messrs.  Jonathan 
Price  and  Woodson  Cli-mous.     Thev  were  instructed  to  make 
these  Surveys  as  low  do.vn  tht^  Roanoke,  Tar  &  Neuse  Rivers, 
as  was  fbought  expeditnt  to  attempt  a  junction  ;    and  commen- 
cing at   Williamston,  on  the  Roanoke,  tht  y  took  the  levels  to 
Washington,  on  '^I'ar  River  ;   and  from  the  mouth  of  Blount's 
Creek,    btlow    Washington,   to  the  top  of  the    ridge  dividing 
the  waters  of  the  Tar  from  those  if  the  Neuse.     Their  instruc- 
tions relative  to  these  Surveys,  their  Reports  to  the  Commis-    • 
f^iooers,  and   th"  Maps  and  Profiles  are  in  the  bands  of    rU<^ 


'Principal  Engineer.  It  \v\\\  be  seen,  from  the^r  Kv;pnrfcs,  that 
their  SurvcVb  promise  a«iavcr;ible  result  :  that  at  a  rcasonaltle 
txpt-nct ,  x\  navigable  canal  c.iw  be  made  from  the  Roanoke, 
near .  Williamston,  to  the  Tar  River  at  Washington  ;  and  that 
a  like  canal  can  be  made,  iri:!m  die  boatable  waters "ol'  Blonni*6 
Creek  to  those  of  Swil't  Creek,  above  Newbern.  It  is  propo- 
sed to  extend  this  line  of  communication  to  the  Inlet  at  Beau- 
fort, by  makir.g  a  navigable  canal  between  the  deep  waters  of 
Clubfoot  and  Hariowe's  Creeks.  The  late  Dr.  M'Clare, 
some  years  ago,  made  a  small  canal  connecting  the  waters  of 
these  Creeks.  The  Legislature  has  vsince  incorporated  a  com- 
pany to  widen  ancfdeepen  this  Canal  :  and  it  is  expected,  that 
bv  this  route,  a  navigation  for  Boats  drawing  six  feet  water, 
uiav  be  opened  from  the  Neuse  to  Beaufort,  at  a  smalj  ex- 
ptvicc — The  objfctions  to  this  route,  as  the  one  along  which 
tht  trade  of  the  Roanoke,  I'ar  ard  Neuse  Rivers  should  pass, 
are 

1.  That,  below  Newborn,  the  Neuse  suddenly  widens,  and  at 
HarlDwe's  Creek  has  a  width  of  several  miles  ;  that  ?.(m(^ 
navigating  the  Neuse  abuve,  cannot  navigate  it  in  tiaf  ty 
below  Neu'bern. 

2.  That  in  Clubfoot  and  liarlowe's  Creeks,  and  through  the 
Cr\iial  which  sliall  connect  t'nem,  there  will  not  be  depth  of 
water  lor  vessels  entering  at  Beaufort  to  pass  up  to  New-' 
bern. 

These  objections  Vvill  cease  to  have  any  weight,  should  it 
be  f<;und  practicable  to  construct  the  canal  in  such  a  way  that 
it  mu'.  be  navigated  by  St(.  am-Boats.  And  as  it  may  be  de- 
sirable to  run  light  Steam  Boats  alnng  the  whole  line  of  Ca- 
nals from  the  Roanoke,  the  attention  of  the  Principal  Engi- 
nttr  will  be  directed  to  this  subject,  and  he  will  determine 
whether  Steam  Boats,  upon  any  construction  heretofore  known, 
car,  be  used  upon  canals  without  great  injury  to  their  Bank?. 
Tht  ;)rop' St  d  junction  of  the  Roanoke,  Tar  and  Neuse  Ri- 
vera, is  throi;gJi  alluvial  land,  and  the  watera  lor  f  eding  the 
canals  lie  in  tht  grt  at  Swamps  situate  on  the  summit  of  tlu- 
j-idges  dividing  the  v/aters  oi  these  Rivers. 


The  junction  of  the  Capc-Fcar,  Fedee  and  Ca^ 

tawha. 

The  Geological  structure  of  North-Carolina,  seems  to  ren- 
der it  very  doubtful,  whether  any  two  of  our  primary  Rlvx^rf; 


4S  lNTKr;^^VL  i?.iP.:'.;vrMK>;TS 

can  be;  ccnuected  at  .any  rcasouaLlc  expi-nce,  to-  the  North  o^ 
the  Grutjitvf^Ridg'--,  which  has  been,  inentioncd.  Upon  ihis 
subject,"  the  Cuniaassioners  rtccivcd  dunng'the  last  year  aa 
intcitsling  Comnittjiicaiicn  f;onn  li.  H.  Latrobt-,  Esq.  in  wi;ich 
he  observK^,  "  that  all  our  gr*.  at  Rivers  aiiiy  be  considered  as 
"  runiiing  in  deep  vtviiics,  scparaccd  by  ridges  more  or  less 
*'  elevated,  'ihtir  colhiteral  waters  are  again  s>,parated  bf 
*'  lesser  ridges  ;  so  that  the  gincral  suriacc  of  the  high  alluv;al 
"  land,  being  considered  as  havnig  been  originally  lev.  J,  the 
"  WiU- r  courses  have  worn  down  the  vallics  ayd  Ittt  tlu 
*'  ridges  standing  all  nearly  o!  the  Icyel  oi  the  original  plains. 
*'  Across  these  sciontlary  ndgcSj^run  from  North-East  to 
*'  Sf  uth-West,  in  nearly  parallel  lines,  t^rz^i-nal  or  priinitivc 
"  rocky  iormatior.s,  creating  another  range  ol'  ndges^  ahaost  c.t 
**  right  angles  with  the  first,  and  wriich  rise  aiioVc  tlie  level 
*'  of  the  idlr.vial  plains  that  fill  the  spacepetwecn,  them.  NnW 
*'  in  this  lornnation,  consist  all  th(t  diiRcUltics  vl'hifh  oppose 
*'  the  union,  by  ar'tiiicial  u;eaps,  ol  one  of  ^otir-great  Rivers 
"with  its  neigi~.hor.  Ff>r  the  first  ni^ntiontd  ndg-'s  o-pp  sc 
"  the  connection  through  the  san)e  \  alley  from  Norih-East 
*'  'o  Sduth-Wist  :  and  the  second,  c;iitr  a  reck)  barrier  to 
*••  their  approach  by  a  desccct  Irom  ihi-  higher  to  the  lower 
*'  level.  And  herrin,  our  country  differs  entirely  from  Eu- 
*'  rope,  where  th^-rivers  generally  run  in  vallies  determined 
*'  by  the  range  ofpriaiiuve  or  secondary  nK^unudns  ;  whde, 
**  with  us,  the  Hivers  run  across  our  mcuntu'n  rang,  s,  wear- 
*'  ing  down  detp  heels  in  the  vallhss  between  ;  which  thus, 
^'  relatively  to  the  Beds  6^  the  Rivers,  become  high  obsuuc- 
*'  tions  between  thchn."  jMr.  Lairobe  having  aidv  d  di<.  Cein- 
niissioners  wrh  his  advice  as  to  the  manner  in  which  Survex  5 
!North  of  the  .Granite  Ridge  and  across  it,  sh(>uid  be  conduct- 
ed! t'.vo  Survey's  were  cornirsenced  during  tlie  lait  summer, 
between  Deep  Riv<r,  the  S  aithern  branch  of  the  Car)<--f^  ar 
and  ti-ie  Yadkin.  Tlie  main  (Object  of  these  Su.'-vi  ys  wa^,  to 
ascerialn  llie  nlative  levels^  ot  the  beds  of. the  Yacikin.  The 
Uharte  and  Deep  Rivers,  on  the  same  parallel  of  latitude,  and 
the  height  of  the  intir\ening  ridgt:&.  Mr.  William  Terry 
took  the  levels  from  the  Flat  Swamp  un  the  Yaiikinj  to  Las- 
siter's  Ford  on  Uharee  ;  and  Messis.  Price  anri  demons, 
commencing'  on"D  en  Riyer,  ai  Mrndenhah's  Mibs,  iiiiade  a 
Survey  to  Lassiter's  Ford,  on  the  Uharee,  and  U)  the  .mouth 
of  Fork  Creek,  on  Deep  Xiiver  ;  and  determined  the  relative 
levels  of  the  v.vater  at  thrse  several  places,  and  also  ot  the  se- 
veral dividing  ridges*  The  R-.poris,  Maps  and  Pr.. files  of 
these  Sur\'eys.  are  in  tr.e   h;.nds  of  .  the  Priiieipul    Engineer^ 


OF  XOUTU-CAUOLINA,  4B 

Iliese  Surveys  r'r w,  m  a  very  clear  manner,  the  great  difli-- 
v\iliit.  which  arc  tu  be  found  in  the  Geol.f^ical  structure  of 
ii,e  State  t%»  tht  t<>r!riiiig  of  a<n  lini'.'n  between  two  of  our  R.I- 
v.;s  to  the  Nortn  ot  the  Kklg  3  oi'  C^r..v.)ite.  Yet  so  desirable, 
in  a  few  uistanc's,  is  such  an  union,  that  further  Surveys  v/ill 
be  madi    lodettruvine  its  practicability. 

K:-i\  in  the  [))tHLnt  year,  IMr.  John.  Couty  was  employed 
t.->  n-  k..  Surveys  bi  t ween  the  J-^edee  and  Cape-Fear,  South  of 
tie  i  i'ges  of  Gfanitf,  and  I^etweers  the  Pedee  and  Catawba, 
IX'v.rth  ot  th'ose  Rid^ts. — Between  Pe^ee  and  Cape-Fear,  is 
l-tin^bt'i"  ^<ivtr,  called  on  the  Map   Drowning  Creek. 

'I'his  1^1  ver  ri->cs  in  the  great  iJ-idge  of  Granite,- and  runs  on 
a  Plain  eieviated  more  than  an  hundred  and  fihy  feet  above 
tht-  iirdsot  the  Peclee  and  Cape-Fear.  The  ridges  which  di- 
vide it<^  w.iters  from  those  uK  Pedee,  on  one  side,  and  Cape- 
l'*car-f)i)  the  other,  run  neliily  parallel  \vidi  the  lliver,  and  af- 
ter a  long  slope,  gradually  dibappcar.  Mr.  Gouty  was  instruct- 
ed t'o  ascuilain,  in  the  5i*st  place,  the  rtl.'.tive  levels  of  the  beds 
of  these  three  Rivers,  as  ihe  basis  of  his  lurther  operations, 
auwl  then  to'  ascertain 

1.  Whether  a  conununicafioti  by  v/atcr  coiial  be  opened  fronn 
(he  Lumber  River  to  Pciep. 

2.  Wi-.other  such  a  omrnunica^i'T.  couiil  be  opened  from  tho 
Lumber  River  to  the  Capft-Fear. 

Petween  Lumber  River  and  Pedee,  he  was  instructed  to 
Tr,;  ke  three  Surveys — 

1.  By  tha  wav  of  Mountnin  Creek,  which  runs  into  the  Peden 
at  Coleman's  Mill-pond,  near  t'le  head  of  the  Qrassv  fsiands, 

3.  By  tiie  way  of  Ffitchcnck  Creek,  >\*kich  runs  into  the  I'etleo 
several  miles  below  the  Grassy  hlands. 

G.  By  the  way  of  Marks's  Creek,  nhicli  runs  into  the  Pedeo 
a  few  hundred  yards  below  the  Suutliern  Boundary  of  the 
State. 

Between  Lumber  River  and  Cape-Fear,  he  was  instructed  to 
irake  sundry  Surveys — 

1.  By  the  way  of  ilockfi>.h  and  thence  to  Fayettevillo. 

2.  From  Rhodes's  Miil-pond  on  Saddle  Tree,  near  Luiuberton, 
to  Sullivan's  Mdl  pond  on  the  Great  Swamp,  atid  (hence  to 
the  Cape-Fear. 

3.  Fi om  fiUinber  Iliver,  below  I^umberton,  to  the  Western 
Prong  ot  the  V*  hite  IMarMli,  by  tlie  way  <d  Peters's  Swamp, 
and  across  the  Great  Swamp  ;,dowii  the  WhiteMarsii  to  the 

VVackstnaw  River;  t;  i-ice  a'cf ;;  the  Soul  ItcrM  ir.ai  t;in  of  the 
Gieen  Swamp,  to  Laik  wood's  Kolly  'liver,  d;;u  11  (hi!  River 
tu  the  Bjv,  i^litncc  across  ta  lihzabel'i  iiiver  at  Smiiuyiliei 


44  j:\TE4tNAi..  i.'\]l'iH.<\  KMiiATS 

It  v'lU  he  ^een  by  looking  to  the  Map  ?)["  iIk-  Suuc,  tii^.l  (h'-S-i 
r^fViial  rouiLs  bciug  survtycd,  it  Vv^ill  be  easy  lo  ckici  (ni.ic 
which  ol  thtm  sliall  be  sclecttcl.  It  is  not,  pcih^ips,  u  niutc<,if 
of  imich  consequence  wbethcr  uiore  than  one  chamiel  ot  com- 
rnunicaiion  be  cpcned  between  Lumber  River  ;tiid  Pcdec  ^ 
une  should  be  chosen  which  shall  be  lound  least  expensive, 
and  most  easily  ^nade.  But  the  public  interest  seems  to  re- 
quire, that  two  or  more  commuijicatio'ns  by  water  should  bc- 
opened  between  Lumbei*  River  and  the  Cape-Fear,  The  most 
jnr.poriant  is  the  one  which  shall  direct  ta  FayettcviUe  the  trad^; 
of  the  Pedee.  But  lower  dowii,  through  ll/bcson,  where  a 
Canal  can  probably  be  made,  connecting  the  Rivers,  at  a  small 
«xpence,  the  riches  of  the  soil  cannot  be  brougnt  into  activity" 
^vithout  such  an  improvement.  And*  indeed,  the  great  quan- 
tity of  fine  timber  for  staves  and  lumber,  and  the  immense 
i'crests  of  pine  for  tar  and  turpt^ntlne,  which  cV'.ry  where  spread 
over  the  cuntry  watered  by  Lumber  River,  require  that  some 
channel  should  be  opened,  along  which  these  articles  can  be 
taken  to  the  Cape-Fear  for  shipment.  And  the  rich  lands  ot 
the  White  Marsh  and  Green  Sv.'amp,  as  well  as  their  inex- 
liaustible  supfdies  of  materials  for  Lumhrr  and  Naval  Stores, 
also  require  that  a  communication  shouM  be  opened  from 
thence  to  the  CapeiFear. 

Mr.  Coutv  liaving  ascertained  that  the  bed  of  the  Lumber 
JRivcr  was  sufficiently  e^levated  to  feed  a  Canal  on  one  side  to 
the  Pedee,  and  on  the  other  to  Cape'Fear,  surveyed  the  ridge 
which  divides  the  v/aters  of  Lumber  River  Irom  those  of  Pe- 
dee, and  found  its  lowest  point  of  depression  to  be  at  the  Pop- 
Jar  Springs  ;  and  then  ascertained  that  a  Canal  taken  across  at 
this  point,  could  be  directed  either  into  JMountain  Creek  or 
•Hitchcock  Creek,  Mr.  Ccut3'  found  liwie  difficulty  in  tracing 
<3ut  the  route  for  a  communication  between  the  Lumber  River 
near  the  Poplar  Springs,  and  the  Cape  Fear  at  Fayetteville.— -■ 
The  Lumber  River  and  Roclcfish  creek,  will  form  the  channel 
of  communication  between  the  P-^dee  and  Favetteville,  f;:ir 
more  than  half  of  the  distance.  IMr.  Coutj's  Pvlaps  and  Pro*- 
-files  of  the  several  Surveys  committed  to  his  charge,  and  also 
Iiis  Reports,  will  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Principal  En- 
gineer. 

None  of  the  Internal  Improvements  contemplated  by  the 
Legislature,  is  of  more  imporiance  to  the  interest  and  charac- 
ter of  th*-  State,  than  the  junction  of  Pedee  with  the  Cape-Fciar* 
The  mar',  ts  on  the  Cape- Fear  are  more  convenient  lo  the 
nvhple  Cuntry  watered  by  the  Pedee  audits  l)ranches,  than  the 
markets  of  K^uth-CiTolina :  and  the  distance  from  Snecdsbo-,- 


©F  NORTH=CAROLINA.  45 

rough,  on  Pedee,  on  the  South  Carolina  line,  to  Wilmington, 
even  by  thu  \v;iv  f'f  Fayetfcville,  along  the  proposed  route  to 
that  town,  is  sh  )rtcr  than  the  distance  from  Sneedshorough  to 
Georgeiown,  al  'Hg  ths  Pcdi^e  :  and  as  the  depth  of  water  over 
the  Bar  at  Georgetown,  forbids  ihe  expectation  that  a  large 
comiTiercial  town  can  ever  grow  up  at  that  place,  the  planters 
and  fanners  on  the  Pedee  and  its  branches,  will  have  thcij: 
•interest  much  advanced  by  opcnin'g  to  thein  the  markets  oa 
the  Cape  Fear. 

A  conipetition  will  grow  up  between  these  markets  and  those 
of  Soutii-Carolina, — and  produce  will  be  sent  where  the  best 
price  shall  be  given  for  it.  The  character  of  the  State  is  also 
deeply  concrncd  in  bringing  to  the  Cape-Fear  the  Commerce 
of  the  Pedee:  a  Commerce  nearly  equal  to  one -third  of  the 
entire  Commerce  of  the  State,  and  supported  by  the  richest 
staples  which  our  soil  produces. 

The  Lrgislature,  in  the  year  1816,  incorporated  a  Company 
to  open  a  communication  by  wat  r  between  those  Rivers,  and 
directed  the  Treasurer  to  subsribe,  on  behalt  of  the  State, 
twenty  thousand  dollars  of  the  capital  stock  ot  the  Company, 
"i  This  Company  is  called  "■  The  Lumber  River  Canal  Compa- 
nv."  The  route  of  this  communication  is  not  fixed  by  the 
Charter;  and  it  will  be  the  business  of  the  Principal  Engineer 
•to  malrk  out  the  route. 

The  General  Assemblv  have  directed  a  Survey  to  be  made 
between  the  Pedee  and  Catawba,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertain- 
ing whether  a  communication  can  be  opened  between  those  Ri- 
vers, and  the  trade  of  the  Cata^vba  be  also  brought  to  the  Cape= 
,f  ear.  As  Rocky  River  seemed  to  present  the  most  favorable 
channel  for  this  com  muni  ation,  Mr.  Couty  was  instructed  to 
make  a  Survey  of  this  River  and  ascertain  the  height  of  the 
ridge  dividing  it  from  the  waters  of  the  Cafawba.  It  appears, 
■from  his  Report,  that  a  communication  betvv'een  the  Pedee  and 
Xatawha,  along  the  route  of  Rocky  River,  is  impracticable..  A 
route  from  the  Catav^'ba  to  snme  one  of  the  deep  Creeks  which. 
■run  into  the  Yadkin  above  Sdisbury,  has  been  proposed  ;  and 
it  would  be  well  to  have  a  Survey  made  of  this,  or  any  other 
Toute,  which  seems  to  promise  a  favorable  result  :  For  we  are 
destined  to  lose  all  tlie  trade  of  the  Catawba,  unless  we  can 
.connect  it  with  the  Cape  Fear. 

During  the  present  Summer,  the  Rev'd  Joseph  Caldwell, 
President  of  our  University,  was  engaged  to  make  a  short 
Survey  between  New- Hope  Creek  and  Eno  River,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  ascertaining  whether  these  two  streams  could  be  v^nit^ 


45  I'STEli>sAL  IMFiKJViiXEXTS 

cd  by  a  nayigable  Canal,  antl  a  cotamunicatson  \:-y  water  be  thaJ. 
oper-ed  between  the  Towr  of  Hillsbor5u(^b  and  ih<  Cnpe-Fear^ 
His  Report  of  this  Sutvej  iviil  be  piaceU  in  the  hijuds  ot"  the 
Principal  Englaeer. 


Public  Ilighztniys, 

The  Ger.eral  Assembly  has  not  given  to  ihe  Commissioners 
any  specific  irvStruc^iorss  upon  the  subject  6t  the  Public  High- 
ways; and  thty,  thevetrrc,  do  not  feel  themselves  at  lilit-rty  to 
do  Tnore  than  tn  c-:^ll  the  atteniinn  of  the  Principal  Engineer  to 
this  sisbjf-ct  generally,  as  one  intimately  connected  with  the 
if  ttinai  improv'ements  of  the  State,  rurnpike  Roads  acrosis 
the  M'  urstaios  from  the  head  boatable  waters  of  the  Yadkih. 
and  Catawba,  seem  to  be  essential  parts  of  this  Improvement. 
So  also  will  be  a  Turnpike  Road  from  the  Catawba  to  the  Pe- 
dee,  should  it  be  found  impracticable  to  unite  the  wr-e^rs  of 
those  Rivers.  The  Principal  Engineer  \vill  examine  the  face 
of  the  country;  its  soil,  its  facilities  for  Turnpikes  and  Rail 
Ways,  and,  in  due  time,  the  General  Assembly  will  give  in- 
structions oa  these  subjects. 


i}ralmng  of  the  Swamps  ami  Marshes  in  the  Sod- 
them  and  Eastern  parts  of  the  Slate. 

The  same  remarks  which  have  been  made  on  the  Public 
Highways  are  applicable  to  the  draining  of  the  Swamps  and 
Marshes.  No  instructions  have  btei-i  given  to  the  Commis- 
sioners on  the  subject;  but  it  is  so  intimately  connected  wltk 
the  Internal  Improvements  of  the  State,  that  the  attention  of 
the  Principal  Engineer  is  particularly  invited  to  it.  There  la 
rio  doubt  that  the  unheahhsntss  of  the  Southern  and  Eastern  _ 
C' 'Unties  is  to  be  ascribed,  in  a  great  degree,  to  the  Doxious 
exhalaticns  from  their  Swamps  and  Marshes.  The  revenues 
ot  the  State  cannot  be  appliid  ti>  a  more  worthy  object  thiii 
that  of  improving  the  health  of  its  inhabitants,  and  thereby  irtf- 
proving  their  moral  and  intellectual  condition.  Those  draiti-J 
ings  will  also  reclaim,  and  subject  to  the  purposes  of  Agricdl- 
ture,  a  large  portion  of  the  richest  lands  in  the  State.  From 
the  experiments  whi  h  hviv  been  made  by  a  few  enterprising 
individuals,  near  Lake  Pheip^s  and  Mattamuskeet,  no  doubt 


cxrsts,  that  our  Swamp  Iannis  are  more  pradacijye  than  axty 
others.  The  draining  of  these  Swamps,  and  of  oar  Marshes 
cannot  be  done  by  individuals.  The  State  mast  lend  its  aid 
to  effect  k.  In  laying  aut  the  romes  for  Canals^  in  nmxxj  parts 
of  the  Southeyn  and  Easterti. Counties,  jt  is  probable  the  Pr'ao- 
cipal  Engineer  can  select  routes  which  will  axiswer  the  double 
purpose  of  Canals  and  Drains, 

A  primary  pars  of  the  Plan  of  In^emal  Improvements  con» 
templated  by  the  Legislature,  tfeat  part  which  is  to  gire  eflect 
to  all  the  others,  is  the  employment  of  a  Civil  EifigiBcer  of  Sci- 
ence and  Experience  to  direct  this  great  worfe^  llw  CoQimis» 
sioners  have  employed  sach  an  Engineer  froro  that  country 
Which,  by  BCr.  Lasrobe,  is  called  ^^  The  Acstdemv  of  Civg 
Engmeers,"  where  the  Science  qf  Civjl  EagirseenBg  has  at» 
tained  a  perfection  iDn|nown  m  any  other  country. 

Under  his  direction,  the  Cf>mH)iss!OBeTs  hop^^  the  fnternal 
Improvciaents  of  the  State  will  progress,  with  steadiness  and 
J<uigix>ent,  unci!  the  wishes  of  the  people  on  thk  sBbkct  shall 
be  gratified,  the  resources  id  the  State  shaMbe  d^vdoped.and 
hcT  pros{>erity  be  established, 

Submittecl  to  Hamilton  Fultoe,  Esqaire,  Priadpal  Eugraeer 

for  the  State  of  North- Caroisna. 

\.  I>.  MfJKPHEY,  Vfimnmn,  ^'c 


STxlTISTICAL  TABLES 

SHEWING 

THE  HESOURCES  of  J^ORTR-CdROLlXAi. 

ALSO  THE 

Jlmount  of  Birect  Tihves,  Internal  Bulks  and  Ciis- 
toms.  received  bif  the  General  Government  from, 
this  State  since  the  Year  i7iil. 


STATEMENT 
Shetv'rng  the  Gross  and  Nett  Amount  of  the  Customs^  together; 
xvTth  the  Amount  of  Drawbacks^  is'c.  and  expence^  of  Collect 
tion^  VI  North  Carolina',  from  the  commencement  oj  the  Gene' 
rat  Government  to  1816,  vicbr^ive. 


Years 

Gi'oss  amouiu  oi 
duties  on  Mc)-- 
ciiantlis^,  Toii- 
nai^'e,  Fiiies, 
Penalties  and 
Forfeitures 

Drawback 

on  M  r- 
cliandize. 

Diawbacknn  Do- 
iTiehtic   Spirits 
Suirars,  &c. 
Bounties  arnl 
Allowance'^. 

Expences  of 
i'losecu- 
II.  n  and 
Coilection. 

N-t  Revenue. 

l>i!s.      C«s, 

Diis.  Ct^. 

Dlls.     C^ij. 

f)ils.   t 

Is. 

Oils.     Cts. 

1791 

122,025  37 

29  45 

141   60 

6.843 

57 

115,010  75 

1792 

85  648  60 

160  98 

S83  8'.t 

7.040 

97 

78,062  85 

1793 

70,570  80 

80  74 

lfc4  50 

6.538 

64 

63.766  92. 

1794 

87.521   05 

305  72 

8.419 

01 

78.796  33 

1795 

109,845  96 

1,052  14 

i.11    50 

8.725 

58 

90,876  74 

179G 

89.774  44 

10,4   1   32 

681   76 

9.922 

21 

.8,749  15 

1797 

119,857  23 

1  254  20 

224  43 

13,071 

43 

105,^,07   17 

1798 

142  t-3»t  21 

5  804  12 

5^9  59 

14,715 

35 

120.989   17: 

1799 

178  (i72  30 

'2,524  n 

720   15 

-^0,403 

43 

154,424  01 

1800 

159  502  51 

A.555  08 

993  60 

27,492 

56 

126,461   27 

IKOI 

147.847  28 

1.5(>7.95 

1,712  90 

19,498 

22 

125,128  21^ 

l-8()-^ 

287,068  64 

2,742  38 

3,033  69 

28,895 

25 

252,397  l>i' 

1803 

192.20:   91 

1,785  97 

2.184  37 

28,272 

38 

159,965   19- 

1^804 

216,172  75 

3,754  68 

2.353  33 

23,424 

78 

186,639  9^ 

1805 

2i ,0,935  97 

10,646  13 

1.473  22 

23,547 

78 

165.268  04 

1806 

230,385  45 

2,011   56 

1,232  77 

25.085 

89 

202.055  23 

1807 

218  964  88 

5,921   78 

938 

15,712 

13 

196.392  f: 

1808 

51,894  05 

2,390  22 

5i9l    15 

32,294 

19 

16.918  49 

1809 

87,297  57 

22.069 

82 

65,227  75 

1810 

81,425  39 

4,185  55 

18,993 

71 

58,246 

1811 

71,628  89 

588  05 

26,174 

75 

44,866 

1812 

65.204  C9 

880  75 

18,003 

43 

46,320  -l 

1813 

477.068  27 

497  24 

20.092 

22 

456,478   SI 

1814 

378,229  30 

480  15 

32.655 

86 

345,093 

1815 

375,804  03 

3,860  7S, 

26,739 

22 

345,204 

1815 

287,704  48 

15,084  46 

12  00 

28,185 

71 

244,422 

STATISTICAL  TABLES. 


STATEMENT 

Shewing  the  Cross  Revenues  xuhich  accrued  from  the  Internal 
Duties^  from  1794,  to  December  1801. 


Spirits       ani 
^^'i'"'          St.lls. 

Siles   at 
\uction 

Carriages. 

Retailer's 
L'cences. 

Stamps. 

Amount  pay. 
able. 

\)U^.      Cts. 

l)s.Cs|Dll.s.CisJl>l,>.   Ct.s. 

Dlis.   Cts. 

Diis.     Cts. 

1795 

16,086   14 

477  57 

1,679  00 

1,368    12.V 

18,102  69i 

1796; 

16,153  96 

58   32 

1,817   OU 

1,025  GO 

lw,054  28 

1797 

27,814  61 

199  763.695  41 

1,175  00 

32,884  78 

17;lt. 

1\  166   16^ 

10'^.  31,4,030  S5 

2,115  CO 

5.801    89 

32,215  71i 

1799 

34.756  25 

239  40  4,534  91 

2,755  00 

6,264  01 

48,549  57 

180'; 

32,913  71 

348  794,834  03 

2,555  (;0 

5.828  38 

46,479  01 

1801 

18,174  90 

57-2.  43  5,005  48 

2,320  00 

6,603  42  32,476  23 

STAiEMENT 

Shewing- the  Internal  Duties  w/iich  accrued  in  the  Tear  1814. 


carriages. 


Licence.  tor; 
Stills  &  Boil- 
ers employed  ., 
in  distilling 
liom  domes  , 
tic  materials  I 

Dlls.     Ct^.  D  i  I  sTT^Ts . 
87,73b  22  ,14,147  44 


Licences  to 
ivetailers, 


Sales  at 
Auction. 


Stampec!  pa- 
per and 
Bank  notes 


Dlis.  Cts.  Dlls.  Cts  D  Is.  Cts. 

^3,985  0011,237  62i  9,132  So, 


Paid  by  banks 
in  lieu  of 
Stamps  on 
Notes. 


Uils.    Cts, 
1.8G5  94 


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-^  ■      ,„ 

;     r-t    CO 

C3 

^^>o 

15  _05 

y^o 

tn  ■- 

.  CO  '-• 

0.2 

—  ^  0 

m    C    r;,   u 

C   —    -^     M 


P   S   ?. 

^  CO  o 
CO  c^ 

-^   fO   '-^ 

Q      T-.     O^ 

»0  CQ 

00  CO 


1=  i 

^ 

a»  ti 

C) 

Tff 

lA.  fi 

r/2 

0  a 

1* 

E^H 

'^ 

>ri 

£  5 

,;  CO  "a* 

"  00  »>.. 

c  0 

.  Ci  0 

01   <u 

(/.    r-    ITl 

e^~ 

K  a 

Z^  ':c  CO 
Q  CO  -< 

a;  0 

2  0  00 

0)    u 

,JS    u 

--^  C-.  CI 

'       e  5 

.  en  "o 

0  ^  »-^ 

■-J  CO  o> 

CL  ' 

10  0^ 

^    .-^ 

r/,  s;v  G> 

-1^^ 

2  CO  -^ 

l^° 

'-'  «  CO 

.  CO  0 

—   ?  ■" 

X  ^  Ci 

■2!'  0-3 

^  a-,  a-' 

H  '-^ 

10  05' 

*^    . 

•  G!  00 

^  to  ix. 

^  to  0? 

.   C   CO. 

—  ^* 

t'    G?   ^^ 

0!    "J 

™   0 

;r  0  ^"1 

0   rt 

C5  0  to; 

H 

t.  -* 

<r! 

i  CO  or 

V 

^c.  ^ 

J.  Sta 
moiet 
I'ints 
feitui 
Fenal 

> 
c 

a; 

"  to  >-i 

STATISTICAL  TABLES^ 


STATEMENT 

^jf  the  amount  of  Duties  rvhich  accrued  on  Ilfanu^^ac'tnr'Ri artZ'^ 
cLes  from  the  I8t/i  April,  181  J,  to  the  'Z2d  Fehriiarvf^  1816, 
'being'  the  period  during^  rvhich  these  Duties  ivere  in  fs/irce-^ 


Iron. 

MraJs  a 
Spngs 

Can'lles 

D.    C. 

■G2  CG 

22^  73 1 

L).    C. 

li  45^- 

(atsi.  Caps 
ii  iio.ine  s.i 


Paoer. 


D,    €..]).    C. 

3,641  49il92  IG 


Saddles  & 
Bndles, 


4,307  58 


I>oots  fejAleSc 
Uooleies.JiPaci. 


I),  cia^c 

80,G  .845  23 


lobac- 
c%  Se- 

pars, 

Smiff.       

DTC.i     D.    C. 
690  824,93-1  01 


iGdd, 

Isdyer  & 
Leather,    j^j^t^j 

Ware. 


}).    c 


i'otal  a- 
moawt. 


D. 


C, 


U9  91  15,939  10 


STATEMENT 

Of  the  pai/ments  rande  by  North- Carolina,  on  account  isf  the 
Direct  Tax,  laid  in  1793,  1813  and  1315, 


Amonnt  of   ' 
Quota,          Jtitc  Assess- 
meni. 

Charg'es  oT 

<Jolkction. 

* 

l'a\men(s  In  | 
to  the  Trea-  F^alancudliie 
siiry  to   the30tli  Sqset. 
;10tfi  Sept.    \1S;0. 
I«0Q                1 

Dils..  Cts.    DIU.  Cts. 
Per  act  of.  1798, 

193,697  96191,063  54 
Peract  of  lff"13,     1 

520.238  £8  220.959  92 
'^?er  actof  l.^;i  5,     1        ' 

Oils.  Cts. 
13,308   85 

13,774  52 

CO.O'G  -^-^ 

JJU>.  Lu,i>IJs.€ts, 
170,516  33  7,433  3S 
206,460  42         :  0? 

\> 


la. 


>\%  ♦ 


•  V      4 


*^  (Sv^ 


-m 


STATISTICAL  TABLES. 


COMMERCE   OF   NORTH-CAROLINAc 

State7nent  of  the  value  of  the  exports  from  North-Carolina  from 
1st  October^  1790,  to  30th  Sept'unber  1817. 


Dcmest  c  Pro- 

'ore  fjnPro- 

Years 

Years 

<Iuce. 
Dils.   Cts. 

duce. 

Dlls.  Cts. 

"Dils   Ct7« 

1791 

524,548 

1803 

926.318 

26,996 

2 

527.9f)0 

4 

919,545 

9,142 

3 

365,414 

5 

767,434 

12,469 

4 

321.587. 

6 

786.i)29 

3,576 

r. 

492.161 

7 

740,933  , 

4,229 

6 

671,487 

8 

117,129 

7 

540,901 

9 

322,834 

160 

8 

537,810 

1810 

401,465 

2,484 

9 

485,921 

1 

793,975 

4,001 

1800 

769,799 

2 

489,219 

1 

874,884 

.   3 

795.510 

1,848 

2 

659,390 

4 

362.446 

5 

1,012.967 

975 

6 

1,328,271 

464 

7 

955,211 

1,S69 

STATEMENT 

Of  the  value  of  Exports  of  Domestic  Produce  fron  each  of  the 
Ports  of  North-Carolina^  durihg-  the  year  ending  the  20fh 
September^  1816. 

Wilmington, 

Newbern, 

Wasliington, 

Edenton, 

Camden, 

Plymouth, 

Ocracockej 


Dlls.     Cts 

1 

,061,112 
84,281 
33,933 
71,484 
12.982 
36.314 
28,165 

00 

1 

,328.271 

STATISTIC A^L  TABLES. 


itleg^istcfiid   Tonnage   of  North-CarQlina    employed  in  Fareigm 

Trade. 


i-S 

Tons-   |Vc'ars 

Ions 
I9.b4j 

V'e.-.r; 
1804 

Tons 

Years 
iSii 

Tons 

.; 

■20,Gr{ 

179- 

18,908 

17.il4 

1 

23,2U 

(.; 

18,6:>3 

5 

22,576 

o 

15.243 

2 

■2o,84-l 

9 

19,214 

6 

22,180 

S 

14,807 

S 

10,167 

1800 

>),049 

I 

21.894 

4 

17,840 

4 

14,438 

1 

il,812 

8 

.16,623 

5 

25,826 

.5 

13,601 

(y 

M,399 

9 

23,!  61 

6 

20,267 

G 

15,315 

3 

21,063 

1810 

26,472 

1 

Vessels  employed 
.n  Foreign  trade,  are 
reiifistered  by  the 
Collectors  of  the  dis- 
trict  where  such  ves- 
sels belong",  and  cer- 
tificates of  registry 
are  granted  to  the 
o^vners. 


STATEMENT 

X/f  th^  Ltir oiled  Tonnage  of  North  Carolina  employed  hi  the 
■  Coasting  Trade » 


■Y:v'-\  Tons. 

,1790  j  6,5  5  3 
17  269 
2  8,976 
S  2,764 
44.398 
5|3,500 
6.4,531 


Year-*!  l"  'tis  lY  ;irs 

17l)7!5,651  1^804 

85,700|       5 

915,147 

I800j5,823 

16,081 

2  7,200 


9.07 

9,086 

9,09^1 

9,602 

11.377 

9,10,640 

313,139  18  lOllO. 562 


Tons 


Y'^cars 

isTT 

2 

4 
5 


'I'ons. 


.  ,-rn_i      VesselvS    employed    iijt 

I  o'q-'Q  '^'^^  Coasf/;/^ Trade  must 
l^.,8t};^[jg  enroled  or  licenced 
12,334  by  the  Collectors  of  the 
1 1.363i District  where  they  be<. 

II  951  '""S»  and  the  enrolment 
jr.   134O''  licence  specifies  tke 

'         tonnage  of  the  vessel. 


STATEMENT 

Of  the  Licenced  Vessels  under  twenty    Tons  employed  in  the 
Coasting  Trade,  '     ' 


r  lis 


179311,115 

4!  1,73  7 
5  !  ,778 
611,930 


Veivs)  Tons 

179711,914 

8!l,9l3 

9^VH1 

1800il,947 


Yf.irsi  fons 


1801 


l,98i 
2,004 
2,241 


4  2/: 


VearsI  Tons. 

18052,421 
6  2.471 
72,637 


Years 


1809 
1810 

1 

2 


Tons 


2,970 
2,920 
2,902 
2,916 


Ytars 


I8I; 


Tons, 


2«3t> 
3,261 
3,234 
3,10s 


.Q 


^4j  st\tisti(;at.  tables. 

COMMERCE  OF  THE  CAPE-FEAR» 


STATEMENT 

Of  the  value  of  Exports  of  Domestic  Procl.ce  from  the  Port  of 
Wihnm^ton^  for  s'x  months ^  cotnmencing  1st  October^  1815, 
and  ending  the  o\st  March^  1816. 

PRODUCE  OF  THE  FOREST. 

liumbpr,  (Boards,  hewn  TimbtTj  Staves,  Shingles,  &c,)  g  157,200 

Nuval  Stores,  (Tar,  Turpentine,  Flosin,  Pitch,  &c.)  131, 

PRODUCE   OF  AGRICULTURE. 

Live  Cattle — Horses,  Hi)i;s,  B;icoii  Hams,  6cc.  4.800 

Wheat,  Flciur,  Indian  Cora  Meal,  i29,50O 

Rice,  48,000 

Tobacco,  92.000 

Cotton,  i31 6,000 

Flax  Seed,   .  54.00Q 

Produce  Shipped  Coastwise,  380.000 


SPECIES  OF  MERCHANDIZE. 

23,050,  Barrels  of  Tar. 
1.100     do.      of  Turpentine. 


£2,500      do. 

Rosin. 

400     do. 

Pitch. 

100      do. 

Varnish. 

250  Casks 

Spirits  of  Turpentine. 

2,900  Bales 

of  ('otton. 

1,S09  Hlids. 

of  Tobacco. 

220  Casks 

of  Flaxseed. 

1320  Tierces  of  Rice. 

5,560  Bushe 

Is,  rough  do. 

S.250  Bbls.  : 

Flour. 

9,660  Bushe 

Is  Wheat. 

62  Casks 

Bees  Wax. 

11  Hhds. 

Ta!iov7. 

ISO.roo  Ft.  Fl 

ooring  Plank. 

13,000  W.  0. 

.  Hhds.  Staves, 

1,112,5C.C? 


St-ATISTICAL  TABLES. 


55 


Abstract  of  Goods  ^  Wares  and  Merchandize  ^  of  the  ^roivth^  pro- 
duce and  manufacture^  of  the  United  States,   exported  from     ^ 
the  Fort  of  iVilmington,  N.  C.  cornmeiicing'  the  ist  of  OctO" 
bciTy  1816,  and  ending  the  ZQth  of  September^  1817. 


Articles. 


Staves  and  Heading,         Thousands 

Shmg'les, 

Boards,  Plank  &  Scantling,    M  feet 

Hewn  Timber,  (Pine)  Tons 

Naval  Stores— Tar,  IS'bls, 

Pitch, 

JJosin. 

Turpentine, 
Reef, 
Pc.rk, 
Hams  and  Bacon, 


lbs 


Ta'ilow, 

Lard, 
Wheat, 
Indian  Corn 
Fiour, 

Sliip  Bread, 
Ric. 
Flax  Seed, 

Tobaecd, 


Bushels 

Bi?ls. 

Tierces 

Casks  of  7"  bvishels 

lbs. 

Hhds. 


Quantity!  Qnantiiy  shipjied  Coastwise 
to  Forejj?"  to  other  Ports  of  ihe  United 
Countries.  Stat«;s. 


2,8U4 

14,424 

4  931 

1,753 

o,975 

607 

26 

13,456 

426 

16 

12,016 


Bees  WaX, 

lbs. 

Spirits  of  Turpentine 

gallons 

"Varnish  of  do. 

Feathers, 

2Q,293 

4.338 

22  588 

6,341 

434 

2,362 

1,169 

458  529 

956 

1,600 
4,492 


15 

172 

195 

54 

22,053 

2,633 

1 ,534 

3,126 


43  boxes,  4  Iilids  3  Tierces,  10 
b:>!>.  7"^^  Pieces,  &  37  0  lbs. 

13  bbls.  3  hhds,  8  casks  and  1 
tierce. 

820  Casks  (of  7  bushels.) 
15,523 
3,941 

1092  tierces  &:  400  bush,  rough* 

1  773,  Rales. 

79()  hhds.  7  bbls.  3  tierces  &  11 

ketjs. 
1  hhd.  and  10  bbls. 
218  barrels. 

56  casks  and  barrels. 

57  bales  and  bags. 

The  total  value  of  Exports  to  Foreign  Coiintries,  comprising,  besides  the  a- 
bove,  sundry  domestic  articles  of  minor  importance,  and  a  small  anr.Qunt  of  fo- 
reign Goods,  during  the  year  commencing  the  1st  October,  1816,  and  ending 
oOih  Seik ember,  1817,  was  §713,961  4*8 

A  great  variety  of  articles,  not  of  the  product  of  N  Carolina,  and  some  arti- 
cles of  produce  of  small  importance,  are  omitted  in  this  .\bstract. 

No  returns  being  required  from  Collectors,  of  Goods  shipped  Coastwise,  iha 
an  icles  are  not  particularly  described,  and  tlie  quanli' y  and  value  are  noc  speci- 
fied in  the  Manifests  delivered  in  by  tiie  Masters  of  Vessels 

Vessels  licensed  fir  the  Coasting  Trade,  goii.g  from  one  Siate  to  ah  adjoining 
State,  are  not  required  by  law  to  enter  or  clear 

(Jj*  The  Manifests  of  14  vessels,  which  cleared  in  the  month  of  M.irch,  for 
different  ports  m  the  United  States,  being  maslaid,  are  not  included  in  the  above. 


^6'  STATISTIGA-L  TABLtS 

STATEMENT 

Of  Domestic  Produce  boated  from  Fayettevjlle  during-  the  ycci 
ending  SOth  September ^  1816. 

Species  of  Prodiicp.  Vulue. 

Q,5S7  h!uls.  Tobacco,  g4:\0.0;:o 

8.292  bales  of  Cirtton.  ^6;M.900 

11.813  bushels  of  Wbeat,  17.-19 

30,341  bushels  .if  Corn,  10,341 

5.164  casks  FI:ixsof^,(l  77.460 

29  761  gallons  Spirits  23,808 

12  962  bbSs  Flour,  129.629 

Tallow,  Wax,  Bacon,  Furs,  Lard,  Feathers,  2cc.       50.000 


Sl,5S].398 


,  In  pstimatinj:  tlie  Prices,  reference  wa^  bad  to  the  valuation  at 
th«  CusToin  House,  and  to  the  New-York  Prices  Current  of  the 
proper  date. 

It  is  vorv  difficult  to  ascertain  correctly  the  quantity  of  Domes- 
lie  Produce  siiippefi  from  V\  ilniin<>;fon,  a»  great  part  of  it  is  shipped 
Coastwise,  and  the  Mai^ters  of  Vessels  enii;.ju,ed  in  the  Coasting 
Traile  are  not  required  to  specify  in  their  Manifests  either  the 
quantity  or  value  of  Goods  shipp^'d.  In  the  year-en<linj:j  5(.'th  Sep- 
tember 1816.  there  were  boated  from  Fayetfevjlie  to  N\  ilniingfon, 
for  shipment.  2330  hnds.  Tobacco.  Yet  the  Books  of  t!ie  Cu^tttrn 
House  at  \Vi!min;^ton  contain  an  account  of  only  1309  hluls  s);ip- 
ped  fi>r  that  pott.  More  than  1000  hhds  wore  siiipped  Coastwise^ 
cjf  v/hicli  fiO  return  was  made  to  the  CoUecto.". 


POPULATIOX. 

Population  of  North  Carolina  at  different  periods^ 
L  D.  1753  17.^3  17D0  1800  1310 

45,000     200,000     393,951     478,103     555,500 


tlcnsiis  of  Nortli-Carohna  in  August^  1790= 


^  i 

O 

<U    <:S 

o  o 

.*- 

^    in 

r^  '^ 

> 

i^t 

r' 

T 

<u 

<u  ^c  -i 

OJ    o 

«j 

<L< 

O    in 

^ 
i^ 

5    1 

.4'?  Qsft 

-7.506 

140. 

,710 

4.975 

100,571     393^95  A 


STATISTICAL  TABLES.  ;)7 

Census  of  North-Carolina    in  August^  1800. 
FilEE  WHifE  xMALi^S. 


Cm 

*-  - 
1.  ""- 

■^  -3 

£~9 

C3 

V 

"C  ?? 

'C    :« 

1?     ^ 

-3 

§^ 

C     il 

§-^ 

O 

3 

'O  ba   . 

"C    '•J?    . 

-c    --fi 

— • 

c^ 

c   =    tn 

c  c:   -Ji 

c    s    •« 

o 

^  "a — 

<0    r,  ^ 

xr-.^^ 

•"O 

ST>e 

^9  -^  '-: 

c 

u_      > 

u-  o  £ 

^  o  a 

^ 

O 

O  ?  '-2 

O.E^ 

C  .- iJ 

63,118 

2 

T-jOrs 

Sl,5G0 

S 1 ,209 

18,683 

FREE  WHITE  FEMALES. 


o?5        sis 


ffi  J!   Of 


:D  ."  "           -              oi  . 

1       ::     z-za     ^os    ;r«s  -=ii     i  o 

L)               C           C=-2           CE3         0=-^  <  A-c          i/i  fH 

59,074  25,874    3;<i,9o9      30,665      17,514  7,043   133,296  478,103 


Asrkre^afe  amount  cf  each  description  of  person'^  rvifhin  Nortfv 

Carolina,  agreeably  to  the  Census  taken  in  the  year   1810. 

FREE  WaiiE  MALE.S. 


68,036 


«d 

t_     M 

1-   tn 

Sm 

S  -3 

4,  "3 

cc    3 

4J 

—     :! 

"C    ^ 

S     A 

'O 

?    V 

t    5i 

c^i 

c 

^  ""^ 

3  — 

H?  ■"• 

3 

"C    =J2   . 

r;  =^  , 

-3    =0    . 

.a 

c  E  « 

c   -  « 

5;  ^  4> 

C    -    -fl 

o   -  <u 

O 

21  o  a 

»o  -  -3 

o 

oa-^ 

O  =-i3 

O  '^  i? 

50,321 

34,630 

34,456 

21,189 

FREE  WHITE  FEMALES. 

^        S^        ^'o         .^'-S         ^i^ 


1- 

o55 

^.4 

<u 

o 

'C       • 

o 

<a  i  « 


4/ 

.-1 

&  ^ 

3 

J3 

C4> 

3  — 

1-3 

^r 

'S   ':j:    . 

c 

c 

<» 

C    Z    U) 

3S 

"* 

!U 

rt  ^    !> 

<o 

:i 

_^ 

^  -  = 

c-> 

« 

~ 

e<-. 

o 

c 

.■J 

O  =^--2 

s^ 

— 

<    o5-3  CO  E- 


65,421  30,053  37,933  33,944  20,427  10,266   168,824   555,,5<^,' 


^^  Statistical  TAiiLiis. 


Kames  of  the 

Whites  and  other 

Counties. 

free  persotis 
not  faxed. 

SlaYCS. 

TotaL 

Anson, 

6506 

23^:5 

8831 

As'ie, 

S547 

147 

5694 

lieaufort, 

4635 

2568 

7203 

3!ertie, 

5158 

6059 

11,218 

Buncombe, 

8582 

698 

■  927'7 

Burke, 

9574 

1433 

1 1 ,007 

Erunswick, 

£5 '24 

2254 

4778 

J5!aden, 

5086 

1985 

5671 

Cabarrus, 

4rf;i4, 

123^ 

6i58 

Currituck, 

5354 

16S1 

6935 

Coluinljus, 

23  1 !) 

703 

5022 

Ciaven, 

7626 

5050. 

12,675 

Camflen, 

S936 

1411 

5347 

Carteret, 

S651 

1172 

4323 

Cbatham, 

9342 

3055 

12.^77 

Comberlantl, 

6586 

27v6 

9382 

Casweil, 

7458 

4299 

11,7.-^7 

Chowan, 

£508 

2789 

5297 

jpnplin. 

5447 

2415 

7863 

i<^i\^ecombe, 

7315 

5107 

12,123 

Franklin, 

4836 

5330 

10,1 65 

Guilford, 

9953 

1467 

11,420 

Gates, 

sirj 

2790 

5965 

Greene, 

3ii25 

lb-i2 

iiiQY 

Granville, 

76^0 

7745 

15,576 

11  a  V  wood, 

26o9 

171 

2780 

Hertford, 

3247 

2805 

6052 

Ilvde, 

41  rr 

1852 

6029 

ILiiifax, 

8996 

6624 

15.52C 

Joliiiston, 

4497 

*     2330 

6867 

Junes, 

2593 

2375 

4968 

Iredelf, 

85-JO 

2432 

10,972 

I/.ucoln, 

i3.sro 

2489 

16,359 

Ijcnoir, 

3132 

2440 

5572 

Moore, 

5425 

944 

6367 

]Mnj)t<>;oinerj, 

6734 

1696 

8430 

JSIartin, 

3630 

2357 

5987 

jVlecklenburg, 

10.778 

3494 

14,273 

Kasii, 

4571 

2897 

7268 

IS^ortlianipton, 

5824 

7258 

13  082 

Ixew- Hanover, 

5023 

6442 

11,465 

Onslow, 

4370 

2299 

6669 

Orange, 

15,434 

4701 

20,135 

j'*ers(>n. 

4069 

2573 

6642 

Pasquctank, 

5479 

2295 

7674 

I'erquimons, 

4035 

£017 

605a 

Si'ATISTICAI.  TAULE3.  f  @- 

f\iU                                    558Q                           C>589  9169 

K:tnr!.ylpb,                             9314                              798  10.,li'3 

Butheriord,                       12,2SC>                            979  l'r,.'202 

K'.ckingh^im,                        8202                            2114  lO.SlG 

Robeson,                            "€]88                          1340  7528 

Riclifnontl,                          5394                           1301  6G95 

Rowan,                              17,786                             3757  21.54r4 

Stakes,                                9899                            1746  11,645 

Sampsonj,                              4571                             2049  662a 

Surry,                                    8897                             1469  10.366 

Tvrrell,                                 2454                               910  3364 

Warren,                              47:i2                           €282  11,004 

WasJiin^toDj                     •   217/                             1287  3464 

lV:;ke,                                 ^1,208                              5S78  17,C8^ 

Wi  lies,                                 7860                             1194  90  v4 

"VVayne.                               5931                           2756  8687 

385,iS76                        168,824  *  555,500 
AGRICULTURE. 

^tantUij  '^f  Land  and  Number  of  DxoeUing- Houses  and Sla'oea^ 
-with  their  value  as  assessed  for  the  Direct  Tax  of  1799. 

LAND.                                l?\VELLING-HOUSES.  SLAVES. 

Number  of 

Acres.             Valuation.         Number.         Valuation.  Number. 
20,956,467       §27,969.479         11,760           §2,932,893      59^968 
AMOUNT  OF  TAX  ON 

LANDS.  DWELLING-HOUSES.  SLAVES.  TOTAL. 

S155.385  96  7,296  67  29.984  192,666  63 

Direct  Tax  of  1799  gl92,666  62 

Ditto  .  f  1814  220,238  28 

Ditto  of  1815  440,476  56 

S853,38l   38- 

statp:ment 

Of  the  value  of  l.d^ds  and  Slaves  in  North  Carolina^  an  assess- 
ed for  the  Direct  Tax  of  18ij. 


Jiv&ra^e  va^ 

Cons;re<;f;ional 

Vahie.  of 

Vcdup  of 

lue  nf  Land 

Districts, 

1.(11' d . 

Sin  i'f  s. 

per  acre. 

Currituck, 

3343,473 

g348.858 

g2  64 

Camden, 

412,618 

315,721 

3  55 

Pasquotank, 

496.345 

352262 

4  25 

Pi:;rquimoiiS, 

563.021 

409.21 1 

4  63 

Gates, 

544.444 

574  944 

3  37 

Chowan. 

645.360 

577.364 

6  66 

Hertford, 

^SOpOW 

^.75,486 

4  IB 

blATlSTICAL  TABLES, 


GBertie, 

l,35a,096" 

1,297,362, 

3  BH 

IM.ii-tin, 

5S7,5'  5 

510,358 

3  09 

?^(>itliiirr.ptoi>5 

2,528  862 

1,431.848 

4  96 

Halifax, 

2,061.540 

1,858,563 

5  45 

THIRD  DISTRICT. 

WashingtoHj 

437  512 

■  -    292,171 

2  50 

Tyrrel/ 

332,014 

221,955 

2  72 

Hyde, 

813,287 

489,800 

2  39 

P.'tt, 

1,399,719 

880.548 

3  94 

Eiljiiccotnbj 

1,926,572 

1,435.450  ., 

4  34 

Eeaufort, 

810,819 

568,016 

2  44 

FOURTH 

DISTRICT. 

Greene, 

549,244 

478,470 

3   72 

Craven, 

1,787,931 

977,39  > 

3   81 

Carteret, 

385  131 

265.225 

2  43 

Jones, 

711/>'^.0 

476.402 

3  53 

Lenoir, 

724.993 

586,328 

3  63 

Johnston} 

846.865 

595  965 

1   79 

Wayne, 

-,  3,144,620 

602,231 

3  52 

FIFTH 

DISTRIC'l . 

Warren, 

1,045,425 

1,285.937 

3   60 

Franklin, 

916,713 

979,903 

3   52 

Nash, 

703.034 

766  692 

2   15 

Granville, 

,23161,446 

1,664,555 

2  64 

SIXTH  ] 

DISTRICT. 

Onslow, 

605.153 

556,185 

2  62 

Nevv-Manovcr, 

1,293,399 

1,017,101 

3   61 

Duplin, 

729,097 

•    799,075 

1   83' 

Sampson, 

769,301 

583.291 

1   71 

Brunswick, 

516.189 

468,947 

1    17 

Bladen, 

554  276 

558.619 

1   26 

-Columbus, 

167,964 

382,012 

85 

SEVENTH 

[  DISTRIC  IV 

Cumberland, 

1,293,805 

929Jj'5 

.    ^fno1^65 

1   71 

Kobeson, 

504.103 

1   --3 

Montgomery, 

519,637 

446. 1S4 

1   £4 

Kichniond, 

463.992 

382,038 

1  56 

Anson, 

509,548 

57i,570- 

I   40 

'Moure, 

359,029 

227,680 

1   11 

EIGHTH 

DISTRICT. 

Wake, 

1.721,800 

1,501.536 

3     5 

Oranije, 

1,917,993 

1,21 6,;- 47 

3   25 

Person, 

511,745 

661, £92 

2  41 

I^INTH   ] 

DISTRICT. 

l?ockin2;liara, 

729,472 

568.180 

2  S3 

Caswell, 

786,946 

945.7.>5 

^ 
O 

Gull  lord, 

1,185.254 

S,97,£(.'3 

3     5 

Stukes, 

899,669 

502,500      - 

3  se 

2 

85 

2 

18 

2 

IL 

2 

5 

S 

20 

3 

41 

1 

32 

1 

28 

1 

34 

1 

42 

1 

60 

1 

77 

2 

A 

3TATBTIGAL  TABLES. 

TENTTtl  DI3TilICT. 
Rowan,                         2,176,7'20  1,179,63' 

Ki!i-I',.:!)'i.  '  801,-207  2)4550     ' 

Cluithai'ii,  1,063  085  795,22;J, 

EL'^VENTH  DISTRICT. 
Lincoln,  1,285,198  696,950 

M'cklen'wi-g,  l,3o9,334  944,864 

Ciijarrus,  640,274  299,216 

tvVRLB'TH  DISTiilCT. 
Rincombe,  669,069  228,276 

Hivw  )'.(!,  201,9iG  62.964 

Birke.  840481  422,389 

llatiierforJ,  943,914       ■  .     .   454,258 

THIRTE  -.NTH  DIS  l^RIC  T. 
Sn.-ry.  841.2:6  335.243 

vVil'os,  457^.253  '273.772 

I-vh>l!,  802,458  638,462 

A>-:iie,  211,321  '  ''    4Q,ll7 

Total,  253,521,513  40,667,314 

STATEMENT 

OJ  the  value  of  Lanis  in  North-Carolina  as  assessed  by  the 
Proprietors  for  the  State  fax  of  1815. 

Counties,  'Jlcre.s  jf  Land.  Value. 

Anson,  322,574  S460,65O 

As'ie,  190,647  180,019 

Brunswick,  436,864  378,63d 

Buncunba,  379,378  541,722 

Beiiufort,  293,886  360,600 

Burke,  513,624  744.425 

BhiJeii,  475,174  522,301 

Bertie,  326,49.5  2.452,254 

Craven,  400  820  662,922 

Carteret,  135.242  265.788 

Currifuck,  i32,!)04  254,432: 

Cam  Jen,  114.123  220.135 

Caswe!!,  250,700  783,379 

Chowan,  92,010  318,,81G 

Chatham,  465-715  965,765 

Cu  nherhuid,  672  747  818,830 

Cabarrus,  15-2,562  496,739 

Columbus,  220,595  191,238 

Duplin,  404.265  479.443 

Edo-ecombe,  393,225  1,610,903 

Fraukim,  266,212  .     822/4.0 

K 


WaTISTIGAL  TAB.LE?, 


45iii5fonL.  S65,4S©  1^04^5,704 

t5ates',  *  ;l 57,852  157.h52 

Granvilfc,  409,422  l,U7.fe59 

Gn-etje,  148,188  580,671 

Haiitas,  S87,15r,                ■  1,802,513 

Hertford,  174  024  C48J  91 

Bvde,     .  2J0.300  S95.571 

Hsvwflod,  143.950  263,154 

IrwWl,  381.547  =651,083 

Jt.nes,  2j8.0S7  ^  602,786 

Johnston,  47f»,348  '   ^63,253 

I.5neoSn,  C'^O.ISO  1,159,314 

I^enoir,  ^^05,372  280,970 

Moore,  312,662  336,882 

MoiitgomiTj,  324,968  392,635 

Meck)eaburg,         •  .398,582  1,216,582 

Martin.  173.742  518.592 

Kew-Hanover,  341,533  241,533 

Nash,  332,497  664.537 

IS'orthampton,  305,431  1.5521,796 

Onsknv,  :'238,056  522,601 

Orange,  .^'26,625  2,651,742 

Person,  198,963  478,460 

!Pasquotank.  108.825  233.228 

?>jtt,.  317,364  •976.152 

Perquimons,  123,702  283,790 

Rowan,  738,175  1:58,70,142 

Randolph,  37J.,29S  756,020 

Rockinghiim,  293,150  664,886 

Robeson,  60^-584  4a'),n9 

Richraond,  t-29S.592  266,914 

Rutherford,  424,150  7J  9,739 

Sampson,  ,387,456  606,591 

Son-v,  44S.IW2  064,517 

Stvikes,  40r,2S2  368,809 

TjrreH^  149,170  251,599 

■VVashlngttfi),  359,r9§  £92,625 

"VVi  kes,  S4G,'920  386-347 

I'Vivrren,  -298,445  S. 103.229 

T  arne,  312,626  -   969 ..3% 

Wake,  551 -OSS  1,486,301 


bTATISTECAL  TABLEb:, 


63 


'J^fie  folhm'ing'  Table^  nrill  shexxjr  the  mvn  her  of  Militia  hi  each 
Counti/,  and  also  the  Polmlation  represeateii  in  ihc  Congress 
of  the  United  States ;  which  popidatiou  mcludas  alL  ike 
Whites  a)idtwo  fifths  of  the  Bla&ks^ 

CON G ilKSSI ■' ) X A L  D J S TEiCl'S. 


Counties. 

Federal  Xiitabers^ 

MiJitia. 

CurrittJck", 

6,^3a ' 

8&5^ 

Caanl'en, 

•*/8-3- 

5^^ 

Pax]  uo  tank, 

6;rrs 

652 

Per-uiimonsj. 

5,246 

455 

Gaies,. 

4,841^ 

520 

Ciiovvan, 

4,18S. 

s'ss 

Hertford, 

4,&3o 

640 

S7",099 

4,043 

« 

SECOND    DISTRICT. 

Bertie, 

8,793 

rsr 

Bildrtiriy 

5^:4d^s 

520 

Nortliarapton, 

1,0, 1  r& 

SOS 

Halirajs, 

i;%97i 

fi4r 

36j990 

2,957 

THIRD  DISTRICT, 

WasWngton^ 

2,950 

327 

Tyrre!, 

3,000 

394 

Hvde» 

5,289 

595 

Pat, 

J.'iZ'i 

889 

Eil^ecomtsj, 

30,a,38i 

1,080 

Beautortj, 

6,17G 

654 

25,53:0 

S,939 

FOURTH  DlSTRtCkl 

"™     *, 

Ivreerigj, ' 

4,!  31 

A^2, 

Craven, 

■iO,65G 

£99 

Cartei-etj. 

4,355 

400 

Leiiow-, 

4,0  tS 

410 

Junes, 

4,59G 

S49 

lohnst-on^ 

:^,%5'> 

908 

V/aj5e^ 

7,585 

682 

41,276 

4jQ91 

FIFTH'  DISTRICl', 

Warren, 

8,492 

598 

Franklin, 

^    8,034 

725 

Nas'i, 

6,110 

585 

isiaavil!^^ 

12,478                 -^ 

3,145 

^^SjH-^ 


3j05p. 


m 


ST/.TTSTICAL  TA]3L'i5, 


Onslow, 

!New-liano7Cr, 

Duplin, 

Siiuipson, 

Ui  iiiiswick, 

Bl.'itlen, 

Cuiuiiibus, 


SIXTH  DISTRICT. 

5  7ji) 
8,h«i) 

6  899 
5  .  01 
^.877 
4,877 
2.741 


J85 
671 
677 
941 

511 
479 

5   3 


38.8.32 

4,166 

SEVEN  IH  DISTRICT 

CurabeHandj 

8.264 

3,i5l 

R;»bes()n, 

6,992 

896 

^ontgDinery, 

7J52 

940 

Ricliuiond, 

6,175 

6.'  3 

Anson, 

7,901 

1,05  J 

Moore^ 

5  990 

520^ 

43,074 

5,226 

EIGHTH    >iSTRICT. 

WaI<C3 

14.735 

1.211 

Orange, 

18,--i55 

1,941 

•Person, 

5,613 

6ro 

38,603 

3,822 

KINTH   DISlTIUCT. 

Kockingham, 

9.471 

1 ,072 

Caswell, 

10,038 

932 

GuiUordc, 

10.834                       , 

1,191 

Stokes, 

.    10.949 

1,242 

41. '290 

4,437 

TENTH  Dj^^TRICT. 

Howan, 

20.041 

2,851 

Knndolphj 

■  9.793 

1  .(fOO 

Cliathamj 

3  1.523 

J. 143 

41.357 

4,994 

ELEVENTii  DISTRICT. 

Buncombe, 

8,099 

1.249 

Haywood, 

2,712 

357 

JBuike, 

10.434 

1.29.9 

Kutherfordj 

t:,811 

1,6  J 1 

> 

54  956 

4,506 

TWELFTH  DISTRICT. 

Lincoln, 

1 3',S64 

3.895 

^lecklenburgy 

12,875 

3,556 

CaDarrus, 

5.665 

753 

S3. 904 


4.004 


STATISTICAL  TAT^LF.#. 


Sfirrj, 
Wilkes, 
Irpi  It'll, 
Asilie, 


THIRTEENTH  DISTRICT 

9,779 

8,575 

1 '>,()(»•) 

o,6S6 


31,990 


4,020 


REVENUES  OF  NORTH-CAROLINA. 

T!ie  Revenues  of  North-Carolina  are  derived  from 

1.  'I'axes. 

2.  Dividosids  on  Bank  Stock. 

3.  Dividends  on  Navigation  Stock. 

4.  Sales  of  vacant  Lands. 

The  produce  of  the  Taxes  has  varied  from  year  to  year,  as  the 
lists  of  tax;iblc  propertj,  and  the  annumt  imposed  upon  each  arti" 
cle,  have  been  increased  or  din)inis!ied  by  tlie  Geiieral  Assembly. 

Tlie  amount  of  ^Faxes  paid  into  the  Treasury,  exclusive  of  ihe 
Tax  on  Bank  Stock,  was  in 


1801 

S37,076  85 

1802 

42,624  04 

]8')3 

42.759  97 

1804 

47  094  73 

•1805 

47.951  08 

1811 

52,207  10 

1812 

CI,481  60 

1814 

C8,803  92 

1815   , 

84,923  78 

18  If) 

87.568  84 

1817 

84,7U1  88 

STATEMENT 

Of  the  amoinit  of  Tax  paid  upon  each  article  of  Taxable  pro- 
per tij  for  the  year  1817. 


Lands. 


D.      C. 

35,528   16 


Polls 


Stores. 


L>.      C.i     iJ,     C. 


■|"own 
iroperiv. 


I)      C. 


Smd-Hor. 

S'JS 


Faverns 


1).     (J.i  0.    c 


32  027  64i5,531   78;l,834  25:1,282   12109  85 


Pediai*. 

D.     C. 

ZJS5  34 


Gates- 


i).     C 

-^n  30 


Biilard 
a  les 


8).    C, 

564 


Kx.iibition  n 
Kaiural  &.  Art.. 
ficialcunosil.r- 


D     C. 

827  20 


'     y        Ilia  ).<  stock 
J  raders 


D.     C.j     ').    C. 
ljUl9  Sill 3,500 


Tavtro 

Licences, 


D.    C, 

3j463 


Total. 


D.    K.: 

9S,2J1   88 


^^  ATISTICAL  TAULEe^ 


Of  the^Ainount 
Goun'  its. 

Ashe, 

Braiiswicli, 
Buncoiiibe, 
Beau  fort,. 
Euike, 

ISertie, 

Caswell, 

Carter-.'t, 

Currituck, 

Camden^ 

Craven, 

Cliowan, 

Chatiiam,. 

CumberluncT, 

Cabarrus, 

Columbus, 

l^uplin, 

i'Jdj;ecoinbe5^ 

Vraiiklin, 

Cjuilfordj 

Gates, 

Orariviile-j 

Irieene, 

Halifax, 

"iiertlbrdj. 

liyde, 

llaywoodj, 

Iredell, 

Jaaest 


STATEMENT 

of  Taxes  pTnd  by  each  Countij  fa; 
Amount  pan! 


S     904   02 

G80 

815 
1,249  \7 
1,212  54 

899  54 
2,1  "3  26 
2,388  4j 

479  62 

723  60 

752  77 
1,872  7^ 
1,137  A7 
1,839  76 
5,718  04 

795  14 

402  2-5 
1,076 
2,623  59 
1.534 
1,648 

993. 
2,957 

680 
2,147  IS 
1,216  39 

70^5   59 

318  37 
:i,414  62 

997  59 


(/Oup.iies. 

JtillllStOil, 

Lenoir, 

Lincoln, 

Muntg.iincry, 

Mecklenoui^;, 

Mariiii, 

Moore, 

New-Hanover; 

Nash, 

Northarantop; 

Onslow, 

Orange, 

Person, 

Pasquotaak^ 

Pitt, 

Perq  almond. 

Rowan, 

kandolph, 

Rockinghamp 

Robeson, 

Richiiioud, 

Rutherfordy 

Sampson, 

Surry, 

Stokes, 

ryrre!!o 

Wuke, 

Warren, 

WashingtoEj, 

Wilkes^ 

Wavnc, 


the  :ji:a>'  1817* 

A         1        /aiil^ 


'2.  r:L VENICE  FROM  BANK  STOCI^ 
The  State  ovvjis 

\\\  the  Cape-l-'eai  Bank  1250  Shares,  equal  to  3125,000 

Iti  tlie  Bar.k  of  Newbeni  1250  S.hares,  equal  to  125,000' 

In  the  Staie  Jkuk  of  NorEh-CarolinaJ  2500  Shares-, 
cpual  to  250,00a 


5.000  Sharesj  equal  to^ 


VT  A TI511CAL  TABLES',  %^ 

Tive  Re^'cnne  derived  from  the  Bank  Stock,  when  the  dividenil^ 
tiVQ  8  per  cenf.  will  be  as  follows — 

8  ^er  cent,  upon  5('0,000,  is  840,000 

Deduct  4  per  cenf.  paid  to   the  State  upon  deferred 

Stock,  say  upon  S100,000  4,000 

Total  annual  Rpvenue  from  Bank  Stack  when  the  di- 
vidends are  8  per  cent.  S3G,0G(^ 

3.  RFrvENUE  FROM  NAVIGATION'  STOCK. 
The  State  lifi^  subscribed  of  tl^e  capital  Stock  of  the 
U('anoke  Navi;>;a(ion  Company,  g25,n0O 

Yadkii)  Company,  25,000 

C!ape-Fear  Companyy  15,f'nO 

Nouse  Company,  6,000 

Tar  River  Company,  8.000 

Catawl)a  Company,  GOOO 

Lumber  River  Canal  Company,  20,000 

'lioanoke  and  P^iinptico  Com|>any,  5.000 

Clubfoot  and  Harlow  Creek  Compp-ny,  2,500 

;Sl  12,500 

For  tliis  Stock,  partial  payment?  have  been  made,  as  they  have 
■been  required  \»y  the  respective  Companies.  No  dividends  have 
been  made  as  yet,  e:;eept  one  by  the  Cape-Fear  Company,  nor  will 
thoy  be  made  until  the  works  of  i\\Q  Companies  shall  have  progres- 
sed cansiderabl  V.     The  Charters  authorise  dividends  of  15  per  cent. 

If  the  State  should  be  disposed  to  make  lier  Navi<^afion  Stock  a 
source  of  public  Rev^'nue,  it  will  be  found  more  productive  than  an 
■^qua!  aniount  of  Bank  Stock  :  But  much  time  is  required  to  con>- 
plete  Public  Works,  and  this  source  of  Revenue  will  not  be  pro- 
-ductive  for  two  or  XWtqq  years. 

4.  PvEVENUE  PROAI  SALES  OF  VACANT  LANDS. 
The  annual  average  amount  derived  from  this  source,  maybe  es- 
tjnjated  at  B-IJ50Q 

ANNUAL  REVENUE  OF  THE  STATE. 
The  Projluce  of  the  Taxes  for  1817  beins;  assumed  as  the  prohs- 
'l)le  amount  of  the  Tares  for  succeed  in  ;:•  year?..,  the  annual  Revenue 
Sef  the  State  will  be  as  follows — 

From  Taxes,  ^98,201 

From  Dividends  on  Bank  Stock,  S6,000 

From -Entries  of  ^'acant  I-ands,  4,50c.i 

To+s.L  g338yOi. 


68 


STATISTICAL  TAr>LLi 


EXPENDITURES. 

The  disbursements  ?'  '"     Ti-eastirj  amountcni  in  the  yea.- 


1800  '0 

1801  to 
180^2  to 

1803  to 

1804  to 
18  5  to 
18;  6  to 

1807  to 

1808  lo 


g48.4l9  ,-  - 
57,75  8  87 
82,895  40 
57,683  67 
62,055  93 
83.499  20 
€3,955  90 
61.250 
61.561   70 


1 809  to 
1 8 !  0  to 
181  1  to 
1812  to 
lbl3  to 

1814  to 

1815  to 
181 G  to 
1817  to 


90.381  87 
74,179  41 
68,694  55 
5r.5G8  92 

80,013   52 
1 1*5  796  75 
123,372 
142  942  74 
207.0b  1   51 


The'dfiittands  at  the  Treasury  were  fjreatly  increased  c!urinq;rhe 
Tears  1814,  1815  and  1816,  by  the  Ute.  War.  In  the  year  iafJ7, 
fh«^  Treasury  redeeuied  S61.781  of  Paper  Ciirrency.  and  paid 
S62.000  to  the  Baviks  of  Ntnvbern  and  Cape-Fear  in  discbar-  e  of 
the  debt  which  the  State  owed  for  Stock  in  those  llasiks. 

Expenditures  at  tlie  Treasury  may  be  classed  under  two  headSo 

1.  On  ai-count  of  the  Civil  List. 

2.  On  account  of  the  coritirijient  charges  of  Government. 
r»?sburspments  on  account  of  the  Civil  List  i\jv  the  year  1817 

ivere  as  follow. 

Legislative  Department,  S28,762  98 

Executive  d^.  2,526  32 

Judiciary  do.  13,891    40 

Secretary  of  State,  1,145    12 

Public  Printer,  L075 

Treasury  Department.  2,396  94 

Ctiinntroller's  do.  1,177  57 

Adjutant  General's  do.  30/  44 

S5 1,282  77 
The  ON'))ences  of  the  .Judiciary   Pepartment   will   be   increased 
gOjSOo  under  tlie  act  of  JSIS— 

Salary  of  Judu^es  of  Supreme  Court,  S7,500 

Inciease  of  salary  of  Circuit  Judges,  1,200 

Salary  of  Reporter,  ,  5C0 


Deduct  Salaries  foniierlj  paid  Solicitors 

Incrca-^e, 

This  sum  of 

being  added  to  the  Civil  List  of  1817, 

v,il!  make  the  total  disbursements  hereafter  ca  ac- 

coiiut  of  the  Civil  List,  g58j083 


S9,21V 

2,400 

S6.800 

6,£00 

51,282 


STATISTICAL  TABLES.  -.gg) 

Thp  rnntinjient  char2;es  vary  from  year  to  year,  as  the  General 
\sse.ii)i)lj  aiilliorize  expenditures  lor  particular  objects — Iti    the 

vear  1818,  tiiere  were  liir;5e  charj^es  upon  the  contingent  Fundo 
]':i  the  Contptroller's  Statement  for  that  year,  they  are  arranged 
K'ider  tlse  tullowing  heiuls. 

Contini^ences  S  2,768  28 

Court  Martini   at  Newbern  381   04 

Mrs.  J.  A.  Hiakeley  400  00 

Gen.  Wii^hio^tdii's  Statue  3,1 6o  00 

State  Dank  for  deferred  i'ayment  6.303  74 

Jloanoke  Navigaiioa  Company  2,500  00 

Pensioners  340  00 

Con^re<;sionaI  Election  154  97 

JPresidentia!  Election  .      14  20 

Mnney  burnt  61,781   29 

Public   Library  304  25 

I'ank  of  Cape- Fear  31,000  00 

Land  deficiencies  311  01 

Shenfi"'s  to  settle  869  SO 

"Cape-Fear  Co^ripahy  3,000  00 

'Bunk  of  Newbern  S1,000  00 

Keuse  Navigation  Companies,  6oO  00 

Inland   Navigation,  ,5.050  00 

Yire  Proof  Offices,  2,229  66 


g'i46.257  7'! 

The  largest  sums  paid  out  of  the  contingent  fund  for  the  year 
1818,  cannot  be  considered  as  permanent  charges.  Two  items 
only,  to-wit,  money  burnt  and  money  paid  to  the  Cape-Fear  and 
I'Jevvbern  Banks,  make  up  the  sum  of  gl  23,781   29. 

The  retlemption  of  the  Paper  Money  may  be  considered  as  charg- 
ed upon  the  Contifigent  Fund,  and  creating  an  annual  cliarge  there- 
«n  of  gl6.000,  (tlie  net  amount  of  Dividends  on  Stete-Bank  Stock 
at  8  per  cent.)  until  the  redemption  be  completed,  which  will  bes 
tvifhii)  the  next  five  years. 

The  debt  to  tlie  Banks  of  Newbern  and  Cape-Fear  for  Stuck, 
has  been  paid  :  so  that  the  Contingent  Fund  tnay  be  considered 
as  discharged  irom  5>107,781  29,  which  were  payable  out  of  iftn 
1818. 

This  will  leave  ^38,476  45  as  the  amount  which  will  be  pay- 
able out  of  that  fund  hereafter,  supposing  the  expenditures  to  re- 
eiain  the  same  as  in  1818 — but  the  expenditures  for  Inland  Navi- 
gation will  bf-  increased,  and  probably  other  items  may  be  added* 
It  will  be  safe,  however,  to  estimate  the  Contingent  Charges  of  Go- 
■vernment  hereafter,  at  §45,000  ;  in  which  sum  wiU  be  included  ati 
jiay meats  to  be  niade  for  Navigation  Stock, 

i 


'/O  STATISTICAL.  'i'Al'.LtiiS. 


REVENUE  AND  EXPENDITURE:  COMPARED. 

The  Revenue  hereafter,  supposing  the  Taxes  to  remain  as  thej 
tiri'.  iiKiy  be  esfinuited  at  £138,000 

The  Expenditures  will  be 

1.  On  jiccoiuit  lii  the  Civii  List,  S58,000 

!?.  On  accifUiit  oi"  the  Coatii»nent  C'har<i;es  of 

Goveruiaent,  455OOO 

S  103,000 


Surplus  ot  Revenue  annually,  SS5,000 

VIEV/  OF  THE  FINANCES  HEREAFTER. 

According  to  the  Report  of  the  'JVeasurer,  theie  were  remaining 
in  the  Treasury  on  tlie  1st  Novenibcr  1818,  ami  subject  to  be  ac- 
counted for,  the  sum  of  §125,254  >58 

Add  the  Revenue  I'ov  the  year  18 is— say  138,000  00 

263,234  58 
The  Expenditures  (Vom  1st  Noveii^.ber  1318,  to 

1st  November  1819,  uill  be — say  103,000  00 

*"   Leavin,Q;  :n  the  Treasury  on  1st  Nov'r,  18^  gl60  234  58 

Add  the  Revenue  for   1811)  |r  138,(*00  00 

.  S298,2-34  5S 

peduct  Expenditures  for  that  year  103,000  CO 

Leavine;  in  the  Treasury  on  1st  November  1820      g  195  234  58 
Add  the  Revenue  for  1820  138,*000  00 

'S333,2S4  58 
De-iufct  Expenditures  for  that  year  103,000  00 

Leaving  in  the  Treasury  on  1st  November  1821      S-30.234  .^8 
Add  the  Revenue  for  1821  138,000  00 

S368.234  58 
Deduct  Expenditures  for  that  year  103,000  00 

Leaving  in  the  Treasury  on  1st  November  1822      ^265,234  58 
This  sum  will  be  increased  835,000   annually,  until   the  Paper 
money  be  redeemed;  when  the  annual  increase  will  be  S5l,t>00. 

This  V;ew  (>f  the  Finances  shews  what  funds  the  State  has  at  her 
disposal  withuvst  increasuig  the  Taxes. 


^:r 


iif  the  ahiUhf  of  the  S'ale  in  proindp  ample  Funds. 
Jhv  Iilernal  ImiivoveitieAis. —  fVitta  Funds  she 
noiv  hits  at  command. 


TME  preceding  Statistical  Tables  have  been  drawn  up,  to 

.hew 

3.  The  amount  of  revenus  paid  directly  by  North-Carolina  to 
the  Ueneral  Governuient  since  the  aclujition  of.  the  Federal 
Constitution. 
2.  The  pliysical  resources  of  the  State. 
From  these  tables  a  very  imperfect  idea  of  the  actual  amonnt 
of  revenue  derived  by  the  General  Government  from  this  State, 
can  be  lorraed  :  Fot:  more  than  two  thirds  of  the  imported 
r>-;e;ch,indi2e  sold  in  North-Carolina,  are  purchased  in  Nevv- 
"^  -rk,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Richmond,  Petersburg,  Nor- 
folk and  Charleston  ;  and  the  duties  upon  this  merchandize 
are  paid  at  the  Custom  Houses  of  New-York,  Pennsylvania, 
I^Iaryland,  Virginia  and  South  Carolina.  There  can  be  little 
doubt,  that  the  revenue  derived  by  the  General  Govcr  ;ment 
irom  North-Carolina,  since  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution, has  exceeded  tv/enty  miiiions  of  dollars.  This  fact 
reminds  us  more  sensibly  than  any  other,  of  the  humiliating 
condition  of  the  State.  Whilst  we  have  thus  liberally  contri- 
buted to  the  support  and  the  aggrandisement  of  the  Union,  how 
have  vve  been  viewed  by  the  General  Go'.'erni-ncnt,  or  by  our  Sis- 
ter States  ?  H;i^e  we  not  been  uniformly  treated  with  cold  ne- 
glect by  the  one,  and  open  contempt  by  the  others  ?  Thure  is 
tio  citizen  of  the  State,  whose  sensibility  is  not  depraved,  who 
has  noticed  the  passing  events  of  the  times,  and  not  suffered 
a  severe  mortification  from  the  reflection  that  such  has  been 
our  treatment.  Vve  have  been  considered  the  outcasts  of  the 
Union,  who^e  virtue  and  intelligence  gave  no  claim  to  the 
high  honors  of  the  Government,  and  whose  integrity  was  un- 
wcjrthy  of  a  share  in- its  admnjstration.  We  have  planted  a 
colony  that  has  outstripped  us  in  public  distinction  ;  we  have 
:ede(l  thi?i  colony,  v^'ith  its  extensive  territory,  (now  forming 
a  distinguished  State,)  to  the  General  Government  ;  we  have 
been  an  obedient  and  patriotic  people  ;  and  what  have  we  got 
in  return  ?     We  have  been  honoured  by   the  appointment  of 


one  of  our  citizens  to  a  Foreign  Embassy";  of  another  to  the 
Bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  oi  the  United  States'* ;  and  of  u 
third,  as  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury-  :  We  have  had  two  vni- 
sjrrible  Light  Houses  erected,  one  at  Cape  Hjtteras,  the  other 
at  Bald  Head,  near  Smithville  ;  and  two  wretcitcd  Forts  built, 
one  at  Beaufort,  the  other  at  Smithville.  Out  of  the  tr.ai>y 
millions  which  we  have  paid,  not  two  hundred  thousand  have 
been  expended  for  this  State.  What  has  been  the  cause  of 
this  neglt  ct  ?  It  is  to  be  iound  in  the  supineness  and  apathy 
of  the  State  ;  in  its  want  of  pride  and  character.  W'c  are  ne- 
ve? thought  of,  until  the  electi(in  of  a  President  of  the  United 
States  is  coming  on  ;  and  then  vve  are  complimented  for  oust 
good  scnse^  our  stern  Repiibacanism^  ar<l  devotion  to  the  good 
cause ;  we  are  tacked  to  the  Virginia  Ticket,  and  we  vute  ac- 
cordingly. When  this  Farce  is  over,  wc  are  laughed  at  ior  a 
"iew  weeks,  and  no  more  remciTjbered  until  the  next  elfcctioii 
come  on,  and  then  the  same  Farce  is  acted  over  again. 

De  Witt  Clinton,  the  present  distinguished  Governor  oS 
^ew-Yoik,  observes,  in  one  of  his  Messages  to  the  Legisla- 
ture of  that  State,  that  "  character  is  as  important  to  States  as 
\l  is  to  individuals;  and  the  glory  of  a  State  is  the  conimon 
property  of  its  citizens;."  '1  o  this  we  may  add  the  common 
remark,  which  is  no  less  true  of  States  than  it  is  of  individu- 
als, •■'  that  the  man  who  knows  not  how  to  respect  himself, 
will  not  be  respected  by  others."  North-Caroiina  has  not, 
since  the  year  17S4,  CBltivattd  a  respect  for  hers  If,  nor  has 
she  cought  to  acquire  a  character  in  the  Union.  She  has  re- 
gained careless  and  spiritless,  until  her  citizens  hive  formed 
Kot  orily  political,  but  commercial  and  local  feelings  with  the 
people  of  Virginia  and  South  Carolina  ;  feelings  whivh  have 
abstracted  their  l.sve  from  North  Carolina,  and  rendered  them 
anuch  more  indifTerent  to  her  improvement  and^gr  atness,  than 
to  the  improvement  and  gveatmss  of  those  Slat  s.  If  this 
State  oi  things  be  suiTered  by  the  General  Assembly,  would  it 
2iot  be  better  at  once  to  surrender  our  Charter  as  an  Indepen- 
dent State,  snd  incorporate  ourselves  vv^ith  Virginia  and  South- 
Carolina  I  It  is  certainly  more  honoralile  for  us  to  form  in- 
tegral parts  of  our  neighboring  States,  which  are  respectable  1<. 
Iionorable,  than  to  be  mere  contemptible  appendages  to  them* 

Why  do  we  reinain  in  this  humiliating  condition  I  No  other 
cause  has  ever  yet  been  assigned  lor  it  in  the  General  Assembly, 
than  that  we  are  too  poor  to  get  out  of  this  condition.  A  view 
of  the  resources  of  the  State,  v.'ili  shew  to  any  man  of  commou 
v^cnse,  that  this  is  only  an  apology  to  men  for  not  doing  the:? 

^'^ensiftl  P.'^vle.        b  Alfred  Monre-        <^  John  Steel r 


OF  ITORTII-CARGLIXA.  7^ 

d^ty  ;  an  o^- hand  t^icuse  to  weak  and  timicl  minds,  thnt  can 
be  offtrtd  upon  all  occasions,  whilst  the  true  cause  is  to  He 
found  in  the  want  of  public  spirit,  of  State  pride,  and  of  State 
feeling.  States  of  inferior  resources  have  rendered  themselves 
not  only  great,  but  ornaments  of  this  Republic  ;  they  have  at- 
tracted the  esteem  of  their  own  citizens  and  the  admiration 
oi  foreigners — Why  shall  we  "  net  do  likewise  P^  Why  shall 
a  citizen  of  this  State,  when  trav'  lling  in  distant  countries  he 
be  asked.  Whence  he  is  from  i  Answer,  That  he  is  from  the 
United  States,  and  be  ashamed  to  say  he  is  from  North-Caro- 
lina ?  If  the  present  generation  be  willing  to  bear  this  sad 
degradation  of  character,  are  the\  willing  to  entail  it  upon  their 
children  ?  A  good  name  ia  a  richer  inheritance  than  property  ; 
and  pcst^^rity  will  vtnerate  much  more,  those  who  transmit  to 
them  renown  ai;d  manly  virtues,  than  those  who  transmit  only 
lands  and  negro  slaves.  A  conviction  ot  the  reproach  wh.ch 
we  suffer,  and  the  want  of  encouragement  to  industry  and  en- 
terprize,  have  driven  from  the  State,  a  large  portion  of  her 
most  useful  population.  1  hey  have  gone  lo  meet  more  con- 
genial souls  in  the  Wilderness  ot  the  W^est,  where  they  have 
reart  d  up,  within  a  few  \  ears.  State  s  that  have  already  taken  the 
lead  ol  their  Mother  Country.  Will  noi  all  our  useful  p-'pulation 
soon  follow  them,  it  something  be  not  done  to  make  Norch- 
Carolina  a  dtsiraiilc  place  of  resi(Ience  ?  Society  owes  its 
progress  to  the  influence  and  example  ol  a  lew  individuals  ; 
and  the  loss  of  one  man  ol  ^  nterprize,  int'  lligtnce  a;.fl  virtue, 
ij}  a  greater  loss  to  the  Slate,  than  that  of  hve  hundred  or(ii- 
nary  mm.,  And  it  may  here  be  asked,  v,ho  arc  tho^e  who  hav« 
latelv  le(t  us?  Are  th  y  not  our  rn.st  respectable  Planters 
and  Farmers,  and  our  most  useful  Mechanics  f  Any  man 
w.ho  travels  througli  the  State,  and  vviLrj(.sses  the  emigration, 
will  answer  this  question  with  feelings  of  sorrow. 

Are  we  not  ai)le  to  improve  our  condition  ?  We  have  a? 
much  territory  as  New-York  ;  we  have  at  least  two-thirds  of 
her  population  ;  we  have  a  more  grnial  climate,  and  our  soil 
is  little,  if  at  all,  inferior  to  hers.  She  has  resolved  to  unite 
the  Commerce  of  the  Lakes  wiih  that  of  the  Atlantic,  by  the 
■way  of  the  Hudson  River;  and  to  execute  this  Work  at  the 
expense  of  five  millions  of  dollars.  She  has  resolved  to  makt: 
three  hundred  and  fift\-two  miles  of  CanalHng,  and  within 
the  last  two  years  has  executed  mnre  than  one  half  of  tht; 
work;  she  has  resolved  to  impose  Taxes  to  raise  the  money; 
atid  notwithstanding  the  objections  of  stock-jobbers,  of  short- 
sighted politicians,  and  of  (the  most  contemptible  of  all)  elec- 
tioneering Candidates  for  public  favour,  the  people  have  paid 


those  taxea  wiih  promptiiucle,  and  now  have  the  prospect  cf 
"^vtruth.  coi'VeJiicncc  and  grcatntss,  oi' whicli  they  had  no  idi;;- 
wiit  n  this  great  \voric  was  commfiiced.  Is  this  St>ite  too  poo; 
to  iollovv',  at  kasi  in  part,  "he  exainpie  ot  New-York  ?  '  It 
tcrtainl}   is  not. 

It  Will  be  seen,  by  rciVvence  to  the  preceduig  Tobies,  th.TC 
in  tlie  vear  1815;  the  people  of  Norih-Caroiiiia  paid  to  the 
Geni^Tal  Govtrmnent  more  than  nine  hundred  liiousand  del" 
lais,  for  the  Direct  lax  and  Internal  Duties,  a.nd  three  hun- 
dred and  seventy-hvc  thou'=and  dollars  iur  duties  on  import- 
td  goods  :  and  also  paid  eighty  five  thousand  dollars  ior  the 
support  of  their  own  State  Governaient-  Move  than  a  mif- 
lion  of  dollars  were  paid  in  that  ytar  for  taxes,  directly  by  tlis 
Planters,  Farmers  and  Mechanics  of  she  StaLe»  We  ail  re- 
collect thai  these  tax'j.s  wtre  paid  witli  ease  and  with  prompii- 
tude.  It  will  be  seen,  by  reference  to  the  Tables,  than  in  1314, 
j>nd  1816,  the  people  of  this  State  paid  in  each  of  those  years, 
very  large  sua^s  fortaxts.  These  Tallies  illustrate  clearly  the 
resources  of  the  State,  and  the  large  sums  which  car.  be  com- 
manded by  the  Government,  without  oppression  to  the  pt-o- 
■\-)ttty  whenever  the  situation  of  the  country  }equires  thrm.— 
Since  the  year  5  81G,  we  ha\'e  paid  tor  taxes,  exclusive  of  the 
Custom  House  Duties,  a!-!jut  eighty  thousand  dollars  annually. 

Few  men  have  the  courage  to  impose  taxes  ;  and  any  plari 
for  internal  Improvenients  which  is  bottomed  upon  an  increase 
of  the  taxes,  light  as  they  are,  v;ill  not  be  likely  to  meet  wi'. h 
success.  This  renders  it  necessar}'  to  enquire  what  resources 
are  at  the  disposal  of  the  General  Assembly,  for  public  works, 
vith'jut  resorting  to  further  taxation— These  resources  are 

3.  Tiie  surplys  monies  rem.iinirij^  in  tiie  Treasury. 

.^2.  Tiie  lands  in  Vca  Cherokee  Kation  of  Indians,  within  our 

Boundary. 
.5.  Tlie  S'jni  (if  SIGO.COO  voiic.li   the  Banks  of  Newborn  and 
Cape-Fear  are  bound  to  loan  to  l!ie  State  tluring  the  conti- 
nuance of  their  Charters. 
Vv  i^en  irealin;^  of  the  Finances  of  the  State,  a  view  vt^as  gi- 
ven of  tlieir  present,  and  future  probable  condition,   for  seve- 
ral years.     It  is  very  desirable  that  the   annual    surplus  fund 
}n  th<;  Treasury  could  be  increased,  by  fixing  the  land-tax  at 
eight  cents..   It  is  very  in^i  mate  rial  to  the  land  holders  whether 
they  pay  eight  cents  or  six  >  but  the    difference   which   these 
sums  yield   at  the  Treasury  is  considerable  :  and  one   half  of 
the  people  GO  not  to  this  day  know  that  the  land  tax  has  beerj 
teduced. 


OF  NOPcTII-n-ir.OLINA.  J^ 

The  extent  of  the  ccuniry  pc^sessed  by  the  Cherokee  tribe 
of  Indians,  and  King  vviihin  oar  boundary,  is  not  well  known, 
the  iinr.ts  having  never  yet  Lci  n  definitively  fixed.  But  it  is 
pielty  certain  that  \vc  own  more  than  a  million  of  acres,  whicb 
are  now  in  the  possrssio.)  ot  t  .e  Cherokees.  The  Map  of 
Messrs.  Price  and  Sin-thcr  does  not  shew  any  part  of  this 
land  Upon  th  it  Map,  Pigeon  River  a|ipears  at  almost  the 
Western  extremity  of  ihe  State.  Hc.ywood  Court-House  is 
to  the  West  of  Pigeon  River^  and  the  dividing  line,  between 
the  Whites  and  Chercrkees,  is  filteen  miles  to  the  West  of  that 
Ci.uirt- House.  From  Hayvvood  Court  House  to  the  South- 
'Wvstern  extremity  of  the  State,  the  distance  is  computed  at 
eighty  mdes;  but  this  distance  is  not  well  ascertained.  Most 
ot  this  country  has  lately  been  purchased  from  the  Cherokees, 
and  they  are  to  surrendeir  the  possession  by  the  firot  day  of 
January  nextr  When  roads  shall  be  made  through  this  conn- 
try,  it  will  be  found  one  of  the  most  valuable  sections  cf  the 
State.  On  the  various  branches  of  the  iiighwassee,  Tennes- 
see, Tuckesegee  and  Oconelaltee  Rivers,  are  found  extensive 
bottoms,  of  equal  fertility  with  the  Valley  of  the  Yadkin,  in 
Wilkes,  and  of  the  Catawba,  in  Burke.  There  are  extensive 
bodies  ot  good  uplands,  having  for  their  growth.  Hickory, 
Post- Oak  and  Dogwood.  A  large  portion  of  the  country  lie& 
\vell  for  farming,  and  the  adjacent  mountains  furnish  an  in- 
exhaustible range  for  cattle.  The  climate  is  mild  and  healthy. 
if  a  judicious  phm  be  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  for 
the  sale  of  these  lands,  they  will  yield  nearly  a  mdlion  of  dol- 
lars. They  are  a  rich  treasure,  and  should  be  disposed  of  to 
the  best  advantage.  It  would  be  very  unwise  to  hasten  the 
sale  of  these  lands.  Let  people  become  acquainted  with  them, 
let  their  value  be  fairly  understood  before  they  be  brought 
into  the  market.  If  the  General  Assembly  will  cause  a  good 
road  to  be  made  from  Haywood  Court-House,  through  those 
lands,  to  the  South-Western  Boundary  of  the  State,  this  p;irt 
of  North- Carolina  will  soon  become  well  known.  This  road 
would  ini mediately  become  the  Great  Highway  fron;  this 
State  and  Virginia,  to  the  upper  parts  of  Georgia  and  Alabama. 

It  is  understood  that  the  best  gap  for  crossing  the  Blue 
Hidge,  is  at  the  head  of  Tennessee  River,  on  the  route  towards 
Augusta.  The  Commerce  of  the  Cherokee  country  v/ill  pro- 
baljly  take  that  direction,  and  the  convenience  of  the  Augustu 
iriarket  will  certainly  add  to  th.e  valnc  of  the  lands. 

The  Banks  of  Newbern  and  Cape- Fear  are  bound  by  their 
C'hirters  to  loan  to  the  State  one-tenth  part  of  their  Capital 
Stock.     The  Charters  have  yet  fourteeii  years  to  run,  duri.Tg 


7t>  iNTERNAL  niPROVEMf  NTs 

'all  which  time  the  State  can  have  the  use    of  Si 60,000  frar; 
those  Banks. 

From  this  view  of  the  subject,  it  will  be  seen,  that  the  re- 
sources which  the  General  Assembly  have  at  their  command 
without  resorting  to  further  taxation,  exceed  a  milUon  of  dol- 
lars. The  question  now  arises,  how  ought  those  resources  to 
he  applied  ?  It  applied  to  Internal  linprnvi.rnt'nts,  to  v/ha't 
specific  objectSj  and  how  ought  the  expenditure  to  be  appor- 
tioned ? 


Of  the  management  and  appUcdiion  of  the  Fund  for 
Intf^vnal  Improvemenis. 

Until  the  Cherokee  lands  can  be  sold,  the  State  should,  frona 
yeor  to  year,  as  the  condition  of  the  Public  Works  may  re- 
•quire,  make  loans  from  the  Banks;  and  pledge  its  faith  that 
the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  those  lands  shall  be  applied  to 
-the  payment  of  these  loans.  The  annual  surplus  money  in  the 
Treasury  will  be  more  than  sufficient  to  pay'the  interest  of  a 
Joan  of  half  a  million  of  dollars.  The  Banks  will  find  ample 
reasons  for  making  exteneive  loans  to  the  State  for  Public 
Works, 

1.  The  money  loaned  will  be  ex'pended  within  the  State. 

2.  Tlie  wealth  of  their  dealers,  and  of  the  State  at  large,  wil 
be  increased. 

3.  The  great  object,  dasirable  to  aJl,  but  particularly  to  the 
Banks,  will  be  gained  :  We  shall  ship  our  own  productions 
and  have  markets  at  home. 

The  Banks  should  make  sacrifices  to  effect  this  last  objects 
While  their  paper  strays  with  our  Commerce  from  Charleston 
to  New-York,  ihey  will  be  embarrassed  in  their  business,  and. 
to  use  a  common  expression^  often  put  to  their  Shifts,  Whe:. 
our  Commerce  shall  be  concentrated  at  home,  we  shall  ov. 
our  debts  at-home,  and  be  under  no  necessity  of  .sending  ou 
Sank  paper  abroad. 

The  General  Assembly  should  authorise  the  expenditure  o!:' 
an  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  annually.  It  would  hap- 
pen that  one  half  of  that  sum  would  not  be  required  within  a 
^particular  year,  and  yet  a  much  larger  sum  be  required  for  the 
succeeding  year.  The  writer  of  this  Memoir  is  well  convin* 
ced,that  Public  Works,  which  depend  upon  the  Funds  of  pri- 
vate men,  will  not  progr^i-ss  in  North-Carolina  ;  and  that  with- 
cut  very  literal  appcopriadons  by  the  General  A3s«nably,-ino5t 


OP  NGRTH<.CAllOLII<rA.  ^7 

ui"  the  Public  Works,  which  have  been  commenced  in  the 
State,  will  he  abanaoned.  He  is  well  convinced  of  another 
fact,  although  some  years  ago  he  thought  otherwise,  that  ihc 
State  ought  to  be  the  sole  proprietor  ot  all  the  Public  Works  j 
that  her  Kc^ad.s,  her  Bridges  and  her  CaniJi  ought  to  be  the 
common  properly  of  her  citizens  ;  the  great  highways  of  the 
public,  fr-je  to  all  who  will  travel  them. 

To  what  objects  should  the  fund  for  Internal  Improvements 
be  applied  ?  These  objects  are  enumerated  in  the  Instruc- 
tions which  hijve  been  drawn  up  for  the  Principal  Engineer. 
The  object  which  first  claimed  the  attention  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, and  that  in  which  the  people  have  the  greatest  inter  st, 
is  the  Improvement  of  our  Hivers.  To  this  object  it  is  ar- 
d'  nily  hoped,  libel  id  appropriations  will  be  made  at  the  ensu- 
ing Legislature.  These  aijpropriations  should  be  made  in  aid 
of  the  Companies  which  have  been  incorporated.  Without  this 
aid,  there  is  no  Company  in  the  Slate,  except  the  Roanoke 
Company,  that  can  entertain  a  hope  of  executing  the  works 
for  which  they  were  incorporated.  These  Companies  wtre 
formed  after  thi  late  War,  during  the  full  tide  of  business  and 
speculation.  :»'any  cf  the  subscribers  have  become  insolvent, 
many  have  moved  away,  others  are  embarrassed,  and  all  are 
slow  to  make  payment,  Thesi  Companies  have  received  very 
little  aid  from  the  rich,  independent  men  of  the  countr} .— » 
Men  who  are  sci'^i'ing  for  better  times,  arc  those  who  crgan° 
Bsed  the  Companies,  and  who  have  now  the  burthen  of  sup- 
porting them  :  A  l)urthen  that  every  day  increases,  as  siibscri- 
bers  btcome  insolvent,  embarrassed  or  move  awav — The  R  )a- 
noke  Company  will  progress,  because  they  are  aided  by  eighty 
thousand  dollars  from  Virginia  and  twenty-five  thousand  from 
this  State  ;  whilst  the  Yadkin  Company,  who  require  much 
more  money  to  effect  the  objects  of  their  incorp  nation,  tiiaa 
is  required  by  the  Roanoke  Company,  are  aided  with  only 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars  from  the  public,  and  the  Cape- 
Fear  Company  with  fifteen  thousmd.  The  State  has  reserv- 
ed the  riglit  of  increasing  her  subscription  in  the  Roanoke 
Company,  to  eighty  thousand  dollars  ;  and  it  would  be  well 
to  increase  the  subscription  of  the  State  to  that  amount  in  the 
Cape-Fear  and  Yadkin  Companies.  This  increase  of  subscrip- 
tion would  not  enable  the  Companies  to  complete  their  Work  5 
but  with  such  aid,  they  could  make  great  progress,  and  if  the 
jnoney  were  judiciously  expended,  they  would  do  much  pub- 
lic good.  It  is  therefore  proposed,  that  the  State  iacrtasehet 
Subscriptions  so  that  she  shall  hold 


5fS  im'ETlXAL  ,IMFR:OVFMKl^-t»S 

W&e  Stotk  «f  the  Raanoke  Company,  ..j^jf')^^ 

Ba.               Cspe-Fear  Coinpanj,  g€0,(.0O 

Bia,                Yadkin  Company,  'tO,()<)0 

©«,              €at«wtjs  Cempan  V,  25,000 

Dft.               ?i^puii<?  Company,  25.000 

^Bo,     *         Tar  K4verG<jmpatr;-,  25,000 

t.t'\s  fartlver  -jsropc^s^ed,  tliGt  appropriations  be  tjiade 
T«  co-twpl-ete  the  CiuWcM^t  and  Harlowe  Creek  Canal. 
Fw  nemcviisg-'obstrjctiotts  in  Broad  Rivera 
F«r  «»*fe««g  a  Canal  from  RoaBeke  to  Tar  River1a.nd  then  to 
.*  tfoe  N»ase. 

For  maktn'g  Roads  across  tl:«M<mM tains  ami  through  the  Cli«v 

r«'kiee  C'mntry. 
'For  csQ'Stwictmg  sue?! 'Public  ^'"orks.as  may  be  found  most 

esrpedieQt  i«r  bringing  to  the" Cape- Fear,  the  Coranserce  of 

the  Fe«l«<i*  and  the.  Catawba. 

Whtts  om-  lalets  s^all  be  exawitned  and  plans  formed  for 
tlifctr  improveTOeicit,  let  appropriations  be  m^de  tor  that  ob- 
ject ;  and  let  iil^eral  approprjations  be  made  for  draining  the 
Matches- and  Swamps  of  the  Southern  and  Eastern  Counties* 
It  is  not  proposed  that  all  these  appropriations  should  be 
W'scle  at  oae  Session  of  the  Assembly  :  bat  that  an  act  be 
|iassede 

1.  Fw  increasing  the  subscription  of  the  State  in  all  the  Na- 

vigatioa  C<Knpatiies. 
'2«  Appropriating  asaintiot  exceeding  8150,000  annually,  fcir 
seven  jears,  for  InteruaJ  Improvements. 

3.  Out  of  this  a.ppr«priatioii  payments  to  be  first  mat!©  to  the 
Navigation  Ci>mp«nles  of'such  Insialntents  as  are  ca! led  for 
-daring  the  ^jear,  and  ihe  balance  tr>  be  expended,  first  in 
the  making  of  good  roads  across  the  Mountains  and  through 
tlie  Cherokee  CouJitry,  .and  secondly  in  the  execution  of 
s«ch  oth^er  Public  Woe-ksas  tite  Legislature  s!;al!  designate, 
or  the  Board  of  Pufelic  V^  orks  shall  think,  the  interests  Of 
;t'>.e  Sfate  require. 

4.  T«»  form  a  Board  of  Public  Works. 

5.  to  place  aJI  the  Pablic  Works  under  the  general  superin- 
tendance  of  this  Board,  arsd  under  the  immediate  direction  of 
the  Priescipai  En;;tiieer — And  that  no  further  aid  be  given  t* 
aij  of  «he  Compaides.  yntii  they  agree  that  the  Works  in 
which  they  are  engag;ed,  s'tall  be  pkced  under  the  general 
>aui«erintendance  of  the  Board,  and  the  immediate  direction 
of  the  PrtHcipal  Engineer, 

TKis'plan  vrouid  giive  system  to  the  Public  Works  of  the 
State  ;  and  would  ensure  their  speedy  execution.  Paltry  ap- 
p'oprikitiQnH  will  do  no  good:  and  why  shall  we  wait  tea 
yrurs  toco  piete a  Workwhich  can  be  completed  within  five  ? 
"W©  caa  s^seasii;  itt<p!ropriui,c  gl 50,000,  annualiy,  as  825,00©. 


1^<s  difftrenee  will  never  be  felt  by  the  people  5  fbr.it  'i&  a©fc 
p.rc^posed  to  impose  upon  them  any  Tar*  to  laaae:  thfc  ssMwacy. 
"I^he  expenditure  of  Si 50,000  aiiauallv  ior  sevew  yeass^  spc^fe 
objects  of  Internal  Improvement,  wiU  c;,ive  to  Noastb  Cajro'iua 
a  new  character  and  add  an  Iruiidred  iwiliio^ns  t*  fe.^r  W4.iijho. 
Il  South  Carolina  can  expend  ^250^003  per  ytarap.a  &iif:k 
objects,  it  is  strange,  indeed,  if  we  cann&t  raise  StSCJ^OClO. 

In  this  plan»  and  in  every  plan  which  may  ;>&  s>ui:v,oitie<l  to 
the  General  Asseiably,  it  is  ,and  it  oagiit  iobt,.  a  prBm<iTy  oh^ 
ject,  to  aid  the  several  Navigatiou  Companjes*  Tkcy  are 
destined  to  perish,  and  that  quickly,  withouisucbaad.  liB.tije 
next  place,  let  a  fev/  good  roads,  be  niade  acn.«ss  t<ae  Moya- 
tains,  one  to  extend  quite  thrangh  the  Cherokee  Coisnirv— > 
The  people  to  the  West  of  the  Blue  Ridge  miist  necessarily 
depend  upo  i  land  carriage  j  and  their  cocdisioB.  i&  eBtilicdHto 
peculiar  consideration  in  any  general  plan,  of  Internal  improve- 
ments- It  IS  worthy  of  rsnaark.^  th^t  good  Koads  aciro&s  the 
Mountains  will  not  only  sccoromodate  ©uf  ©wa  ckizens^  to 
the  West,  but  will  dra\/  to  our  mtarkets  on  the  Yadkin  aad 
Catawba,  a  large  portion  of  the  trade.,  of ^E^t  Tennessee jajsd 
ef  several  Counues  in  Virginia^ 


Of  Moads  across  the  Mmmiums*. 

The  Yadkin  and  the  Catawba  become  boatabJe  within  M" 
teen  milt-s  of  the  foot  of  the  Biue  Kitlge.  In  planniag  Pub- 
lie  Roads,  Wilkesborougli  may  be  talcen  as  the  point  on  tbe 
Yadkin,  from  which  they  diverge  in  different  dij-ectaons  across 
thr-  Mountains.  One  Road  runs  to  the  North  into  the  Coun- 
ties of  Grayson  and  Wy^he  in  Virginia,  passing  the  Blue 
Ridge  at  the  Elk  Spur  Gap.  Two  Roads  run  to  the  West ;. 
one  crossing  the  Ridge  a6  Reddy's  River  Gap,  passes  by  Ashe 
Court- House,  and  forking,  it  extends  to  the  North- West  in- 
to the  Counties  of  Russell  and  Washington  in  Virginia,  and- 
to  the  Wtst  to  Jonesborough  in  East-Tennessee.  The  other, 
ca  led  Horton*s  Turnpike,  passes  the  Ridge  at  the  Deep  Gap, 
and  runs  tlirough  the  South-Western  parts  of  Ashe  County, 
on  to  Joncsborough — another  Road  leads  from  Wilkesboro* 
to  the  South- \Vest,  passes  Morganton,  and  crosses  the  Ridge 
at  the  Swanannoah  Gap. — The  Mountain  can  be  easily  pass= 
ed  at  each  of  ihese  Gaps  ;  and  if  the  Roads  were  good,  the 
Inconvenience  of  crossing  the  Mountain  would  be  disregard- 
ed. Tbe  Roads  have  been  badly  iaid  oat  ;  thf-y  are  badly 
atiade,  and  the  population  ia  many  parts  is  too  v/eak  to  Jfee^ 


||Q  INTERNAL  IMPROVKNENTS 

the  Roads  in  even  tolerable  repair.  All  these  Roads  should 
be  made  at  the  puolic  expense.  It  will  not  be  necessary  to 
make  paved  Koads  :  Such  is  the  quality  ot  the  soil,  that  nnere 
ditching  en  cat  h  side,  and  thrown.g  up  the  earth  in  the  n-id- 
dle,  Will  make  as  good  Kuads  as  the  public  convenience  re- 
quircs*  It  is  believed  by  those  who  have  turned  their  atten- 
tion to  the  subject,  that  contracts  could  be  made  tur  improv- 
ing these  R(*ads,  in  the  way  suggested,  at  less  than  one  hun- 
dred dollars  p*.  r  pnile,  upon  an  average  distance  of  an  hundred 
mileso  The  Principal  Engineer  should  lay  out  the  route  for 
each  Road,  and  confine  the  ascent  and  descent  within  an  angle 
of  five  degreeSc  Xbis  can  be  done  ac  all  the  Gaps.  He  should 
make  contracts  lor  the  Woik.  and  attend  to  its  erircution.— 
"W  hen  the  Roads  are  made,  the  people  sbouW  be  compelled  to 
1:.  ep  them  in  a  state  of  good  repairo  The  Principal  Engineer 
should  appoint  the  Overse.  rs  and  assign  their  hands.  It  will 
be  very  easy  for  the  Board  ot  Public  Works  to  draw  up  a  sys- 
tem of  regulations  upon  this  suliject,  which  will  ensure  the  re- 
pair ol  these  Roads» 

Any  man  who  vyill  look  upon  the  M  jp,  will  at  once  per- 
ceive the  extensive  trade  which  thus  might  be  concentrated  at 
"Wilkesborough  :  and  these  are  improvements  which  ivill  bring 
the  trade  of  neighbouring  States  into  our  own,  whilst  they,  at 
the  same  time,  accommodate  a  large  portion  of  our  own  popu" 
lation,  who  can  be  accommodated  in  no  other  way  by  a  system 
of  Internal  Improvements.  All  these  remarks  apply  w  ith  equal 
force  to  the  extensive  country  to  the  Wi  st,  the  trade  of  which 
might  be  con;  entrated  at  the  head  of  Navigation  on  the  Ca- 
tawba. From  that  point,  run  three  Roads,  one  to  the  middle 
parts  of  East-Tennessee,  by  the  way  of  the  Yellow  Moiui- 
tain  ;  another  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge  at  the  Swannannoah 
Gap,  passt  s  Buncombe  Court-House,  and  there  forking,  one 
prong  takes  the  valley  of  French  Broad  River,  passes  the 
Warm  Springs,  and  enters  East-Tennessee  at  the  Painted 
Hock  :  The  other  turns  to  the  West  and  leads  to  Haywood 
Court-House.  This  is  decidedly  the  best  Road  in  the  State, 
to  the  West  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  It  is  much  better  than  most 
of  the  Roads  to  the  East  of  the  Ridge  j  and  it  is  said  by  men 
acquainted  with  the  country,  that  it  can  be  extended  through 
the  Cherokee  Nation,  quite  to  the  South- Western  Boundary 
of  the  State,  and  be  made  as  good  to  the  West  as  it  is  to  the 
East,  except  at  the  point  where  it  crosses  the  Blue  Ridge  near 
the  Southern  Boundary  ;  and  a  hope  is  entertained  that  a  good 
Gap  will  there  be  found  as  soon  as  the  country  can  be  ex- 
plored*   From  the  head  of  Navigation  en  the  Catawba,  a  third 


0¥  NORTH-CAROLmA-  §^ 

Road  runs  to  the  South- West  into  the  county  of  Rutherford, 
aU'ng  winch  much  valuablt  iradt-  will  pass  to  the  Catavvua, 
^vhtn  that  River  is  made  navigable. 

There  are  two  other  Koads  crossinf^  the  Blue  Ridge,  which 
claim  the  attention  ot  the  General  Assembly.  One  leadiui^ 
from  Buncombe  Court  House  by  the  Saluda  Cap,  lorms  the 
great  Highway  to  South-Car' -lina  and  Georgia,  Irom  the  Wes- 
tern pans  ot  this  State,  and  Virginia,  from  Kentucky  and  the 
l*ionhern  parts  of  Tennessee.  It  is  peruaps,  the  most  public 
Road  in  Noi  th-Carolina  ;  and  a  Traveller  is  astonished  ..n 
reaching  Buncombe  Court-Huuse,  (calLd  Morristown  on  the 
Map,  but  now  called  Ashevdle)  to  find  people  Irom  six  States 
in  the  Union,  in  the  same  Hotel.  This  is  the  Road  along 
which  the  people  of  Buncomlie  and  Haywood  trade  to  Colum- 
bia and  Augusta.  They  will  find  a  market  much  nearer  to 
them,  when  the  Catawba  shall  be  made  navigable. 

There  is  another  Road  leading  from  Buncombe  Court-House 
to  the  South,  into  Ruthcriord  County.  The  Mountain  in  Uiis 
direction  has  three  Gaps,  Mjif's  to  the  West,  Cooper's  in  the 
Middle,  and  Shelton's  to  the  East,  l  he  Mountain  is  difficult 
to  be  passed,  both  at  Milia's  and  Cooper's  Gaps.  Shelion's 
Gap  is  now  in  the  direct  route  and  is  said  to  be  much  Letter  ;  but 
accidental  circumstances  have  heretofore  prevented  the  Road 
by  this  Gap  from  being  attended  to.  I  his  Road  is  not  so  im- 
portant in  a  commercial  point  of  view  as  either  of  the  other 
Roads  which  have  been  treated  of;  but  merits  attention,  from 
the  consideration,  that  it  would  open  a  communication  between 
portions  ot  our  people,  who,  being  separated  by  a  high  Moua- 
taaij  ar^  ia  a  great  degree  strangers  to  each  other. 


Of  the  employment  of  a  Principal  Engineer. 

The  want  of  a  Principal  Engineer  has  caused  the  v/aste  of 
an  immense  sum  of  money.  When  the  Navigation  Compa- 
nies were  first  organised,  hopes  were  entertained  that  an  En- 
gineer would  be  immediately  procured  ;  how  these  hopes  were 
disappointed,  year  after  year,  has  been  heretofoie  shewn.  The 
State  agreed,  that  if  individuals  would  subscribe  the  money, 
she  would  furnish  an  Engineer  to  instruct  them  in  their  pro- 
ceedings and  plan  their  works.  The  Companies  being  organ- 
ised, and  public  expectation  excited,  it  was  thought  to  l  e  ad- 
viseable  to  con'mence  their  operations,  that  the  sprit  for  Im- 
provements might  be  kept  up.     They  had  no  man  of  conope- 


la»t  slv-'iil  to  plan  or  lay  out  their  works ;  most  of  the    Uircc- 
iffiirs.  had   never  seen  a  Cavlal  or  a  Lock  ;  none  of  them  knci? 
he»w  a  Canal  should  be  made,  nor  how  a  Lock  should  be  built  ; 
ipor  did  ihcy  know  how  a  Kiver  was  to  be  sluiced       This  was 
fead  enough  :  But  the  evil  soon  became  ten  times  worse.      Di- 
ineetors  and  Stockholders  thought  upon  th«  same  subjects,  aad 
(taiv-h  soon-b;  gan  to  form  plans.     In  this,  as  in  every  thing  else 
miich  people  do  not  understand,  every  naan  had  bis  own  plan, 
3i8id.  was  continually  complaining  that  his  plan  was  not  adopt- 
<e(sSi-      Directors  disagreed,   Sjockhokiers  divided  and  farmed 
factions;  no  one  had  any  confidence  in  the  know&dge  i.vi  ano» 
l^r;  and  in  this  v;ay,  the  Companies  have  gone  oil,  spending 
tkt-ir  money,  and  quarrcHing  among   themselves^    antji  some'; 
%m(i  become  disgusted,  ana  all  dissatisfied.     There  is  no  maii- 
"irHio  has  witnessed  the  proceedings  of  the  Companies,  who  is' 
■WnM  thoroughly  convinced  that  it  is  utterly  impossible  for  tr  -, 
3Pfluiyi<;  Works  to  progress,  without  having  some    man  at  their 
fj^ad  ci  compttent  skill  to  plan,  and  firmness  to  exttute.   Each 
C-cjsspany  wiil  save  mure  money,  annually,  by  corifiding  thtir 
"«'>Gsks  to  such  a  man,  than  the  amount  of  his  sala?;v,      VVe  re= 
J®Bc:c  that  we  have,  at  length,  procured  such  a  man  ;  and  it  is 
Iw^ijjcd,  that   the   Gemral  Assembly  will  place  all  the  Pubhc 
'^'S^a.i'ks  (if  the  State  under  his  immediate  direciion — When  thic 
isflfoae,  they  will  progress  with  judgmenl  and  economy. 


Of  (he  Boundary  of  the  State  to  the  West. 

This  State  is  bounded  by  South-Carolina  to  the  South,  fron&, 
1&<r  Atlantic  Ocean  to  the  Chateaugv  R)ver;  and  thence  by.. 
C^wrgia  to  the  line  of  Tennessee.  The  Boundary-line  to  the 
S(0)ath  remained  a  subject  of  dispute  with  South-Caroiina  for 
Wvire  than  forty  years.  It  was  finally  settled  a  few  years  ago^, 
i^^v  tien.  jVIontfort  Stukcs,  Gen.  John  Steele,  and  Robert  Bur- 
ifeitc,.  Esquire,  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  this  State,  and 
C'cweTnor  INIiddleton,  Gen.  Blassingham  and  Doctor  Blythe, 
Ccoramissioners  on  the  part  of  South-Carolina,  assisted  by  Dr* 
Caklwell,  of  our  University,  and  Mr.  Blackburn  of  the  Uni* 
veifsity  of  Columbia.  The  thirty- fifth  degree  of  North  Lati- 
tt-jie  was  to  be  the  dividing  line ;  but  on  reaching  the  Blue 
Ksrfgr,  it  was  discovered  that  this  parallel  of  latitude  crossed  the 
li'iidge  at  several  places  ;  and  the  Comriiissioners  having  dis- 
cretionarv  powers,  agreed  to  make  the  summit  of  the  ridge, 
the  dividing  line.     This  line  terminated  oa  the  Chateaugy  Kir 


Ot  NORTH-C AROUNA.  ^ 

/er,  at  a  point  where  Mr.  EUicott,  who  had  been  employed  ibjf 
vShe  State  ol  Georgia  for  that  purpose,  had  ascertained  the  thij*' 
fty-fifth  degree  of  North  Latitude  crossed  that  Kiver.     He  ha«£ 
liere  placed  a  rock,  lor  the  Nurth-Eastern  corner  of  the  State; 
of  Georgnj.    It  remained  for  us  to  settle  definitively  with  Geor- 
gia, ouF  Boundary,  Irocn  this  rock  to   the  line  of  Tennessee* 
Until  Mr,  EUicott  d  termined  the  thirty-fifth  degree  of  Norife 
'Latitude,  Georgia  claimed  a  large  portion   of  the   County  'of 
Buncotovbe,  and  erected  a  County  by  the  name  of  Walton,  iv. 
that  quarter,  and  organised  its    civil  administration.     Maii^ 
very  unpleasant  occurrences  grew  out  of  this  act  of  Georg^ia,; 
but  they  were  all  finally  settled  by  Mr.  EUicott.     During  the 
present  year,  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  two  States^ 
lvav€  run  and  marked  the   line   on   the  thirty^fifth  degree  ^ 
-Latkude,  to  the  point  where  Tennessee  sets  up  a  claim.  This 
line  has  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  ia  several  places,  leaving  t© 
<one  State  large  Coves  at  the  heads   of  Rivers,   which   policy 
$eems  to  require  should  belong  to  the  other.     The  head  wai- 
ters of  the  Tugalo,  the  Chatahouchy  and  the  Turura,  are  le^ 
^tQ  North -Carolina,  and  the  head  waters  of  the  Tennessee  and 
some  other  streams  are  left  to  Georgia,  with  the  Blue   Ridg& 
dividing  them  from  all  the  rest  of  the  State.     The  Conomis- 
:3i(.ners  had  no  discretionary    powers  to  fix  the  Boundary  any 
where  else  than  on   the   thirty-fifth  degree   of  Latitude.      It 
would  certainly  be  to  the  interest  of  both  States  to  make  the. 
summit  of  the  Blue  Ridge  the  dividing  line  j  and  it  would  bcs 
desirable,  if  Georgia  would  accede  to  this  proposition,  to  ap- 
point the  same  Gentlemen,  Jesse  Franklin,  General  Thomas 
'i-ove  and  James  Mebane,  Esquires,  on  the  part  of  this  State^ 
to  run  and  mark  the  line  with  the  Commissioners  of  Georgia 
»jon  the  summit  of  the  Ridge. 

Our  Western  Boundary  remains  yet  to  be  settled  with  Te*r>- 
Siessee.  The  difficulty  upon  this  subject  grows  out  of  tht- Ces* 
#ioTi  Act  of  1789,  when  that  act  is  applied  to  the  country  West 
vof  the  Highwassee  River.  The  Unica  Mountain  terminates 
at  this  River  J  it  there  loses  its  distinctive  name.  The  act  of 
Cession  declares  that  the  line  shall  run  from  the  Unica  Moan»' 
tain  **  along  the  main  ridge  of  Mountains  to  the  Southena 
,iJoundary  of  the  State."  In  1789,  this  part  of  the  country 
.was  almost^nknown,  except  to  the  Indians  and  to  HuntcTs. 
Tennessee  now  alleges  that  there  is  no  *'  main  i"idge  of  JMouii- 
teins"westofthe  Highwassee,which  crosses  the  Southern  Boua- 
mdary  of  this  State  :  That  there  is  a  ridge  on  the  liast  of  High- 
wassee, extending  from  the  Unica  Mountain  to  the  Blue  Ridge, 
and  that  this  Ridge  must  be  pursued,  otherwise  we  shall  find  ro 


S4  LYTKijNAL  TMPROYEMENltS 

Hiflge  uhich  will  lead  to  the  S  tutht-rn  Boundary.  This  Kicigc 
is  elicit  nlly  lateral  to  the  miiin  Kidgts  of  Mountains,  ai.d  is 
only  n  Spur  of  these  main  Kidges.  If  the  claim  of  T^  nnessee 
be  well  founded,  we  shall  lose  the  most  valuable  part  of  the 
Cherokee  Country  I  that  part  uhich  is  watered  by  the  head 
branches  of  the  Hjghwassee  Rivet.  The  claim  of  Tennessee 
2s  in  opposition  to  the  under  tanciu/g  of  prople  acqaaai  ed  with 
that  part  of  the  countr\ ,  ever  since  the  act  of  Cession.  It  is 
yerv  desirable  that  this  claim  be  adjusted  and  the  Boundary 
settled  as  quickly  as  poosibiu. 


Of  our  Sea  Coast,  mid  the  formation  of  Mliivlal 

Eand-y. 

An  opinion  is  entertained  bv  many  men  %vho  have  attended 
to  the  physical  history  of  our  Globe,  that  the  quantity  of  its 
%v;iters  are  constantly  diminishing.  This  opinion  is  founded 
on  observatiuns  which  have  been  made  upon  narrow  seas,  and 
the  Lakes  and  Rivers  of  Continents.  The  v/aters  in  the  Sea 
or  rather  Gulph  of  Bothnia,  have  been  ascertained,  by  a  long 
series  of  observations,  to  subside,  regularly,  between  three 
and  four  feet  in  every  century.  The  Lakes  of  Continents 
have  been  ol)3erved  gradually  to  lessen  in  size,  and  the  water 
in  Rivers  to  diminish  in  quantity,  as  the  forest  is  cleared  a- 
way,  and  the  climate  ameliorated  by  the  cultivation,of  the  soiL 
From  the  regular  subsidence  of  the  '.vater  in  narrow  seas,  where 
accurate  ol)servations  can  be  made,  aa  opinion  is  entertained, 
that  a  like  subsidence  takes  place  in  the  Oceans  with  which 
those  narrow  Seas  are  connecttd.  From  what  causes  this  sub= 
faidence  Takes  place,  whether  from  jtn  actual  diminution  of  the 
waters  of  the  globe,  or  from  the  gradual  deepening  of  the  bed 
of  the  Ocean  by  the  agitation  of  its  v/aters  and  the  force  of 
those  strong  currents  v/hich  sweep  across  in  diflVrent  direc-^ 
tions,  is  not  material  to  the  present  subject.  It  is  very  evi- 
dent, that  from  the  Gulph  of  Florida  to  the  Chesapeake,  a  tract 
of  country  extending  sixty  miles,  generally,  from  the  Otean, 
is  of  very  recent  formation.  In  North-Carolina,  great  part 
of  this  country  is  not  yet  elevated  fifteen  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  Ocean,  much  of  it,  not  ten  feet.  This  part  of  the  con- 
tinent is  evidently  extending  itself  to  the  East ;  it  is  checked 
in  its  progress  by  the  Gulf  Stream,  and  subjected  by  this 
stream  lo  continual  changes.  It  is  further  subject  to  change 
by  the  constant  accumulation  of  alluvial  earth,  brought  do^^ri 


OF  XOItril-CAUOLTNA.  85 

%ar  Rivers  and  deposited  near  their  mouths.  The  change  proA 
duced  ov  this  ci^use  upon  our  Coast  is  not  so  rapid,  and  there- 
lore  not  s>  mach  ncjiiccd,  as  on  the  coasts  ol  narrow  Seas 
wiiich  litive  iiuld  or  no  tides. 

Muj  >r  Kcnnell,  in  his  work  on  "  the  Geographical  System 
of  Hi  rodotas,"  has  explained  the  fornii'io  \  ot"  the  Dehaof  E- 
g'.  pt ;  ;uid  in  this  t-!iplanaiion,  has  iliubtrated  the  gcncrd  princi- 
ples ol  idhivial  foi  maiions.  His  obs  r^•ations  on  th  s  subject  will 
bt  toLUid  interesting  lo  th  se  who  are  acquainted  with  our  Coast, 
and  have  noticed  itschan,5es.      Bis  observations  arr  as  follow. 

••'  N  )  doubt  when  we  carry  back  our  ideas  to  the  time  when 
fhe  sea  wished  the  base  of  the  rock,  on  which  the  Pyramids 
of  Mr-iUjihis  sr..t:id,  the  present  base  of  which  is  washed  by 
the  inandatv).!  of  tiie  Nile,  at  an  elevation,  most  probably,  of 
''^seventy  or  eighty  feet  ab()ve  the  surface  of  the  same  sea,  we 
4»re  lost  in  the  contemplation  of  the  vast  interval  of  time,  that 
ni.ist  necessarily  have  elapsed,  since  the  foundation  of  the 
i)i  Ita  was  first  laid.  But,  appearances  apeak  too  clear  a  lan- 
guage t(;  he  misu  ulerstood  ;  and  we  are  borne  out  in  the  sup- 
position that  the  t)clta  has  been  formed  piece  meal,  by  a 
process  which  we  shall  now  endeavor  to  describe — fhe  fol- 
lowing may  accordingly  ')e  taken,  as  a  specimen  )f  the  pro- 
gress o!  A.llavion  ;  and  which  may  be  seen  in  all  the  different 
stages  of  the  process,  at  the  m  lath  of  any  large  River  that 
deposits  rapidly  and  plentifully. 

**"  All  Rivers  preserve,  to  a  certain  extent  of  space,  which 
is  prop  >rrioned  to  the  velocity  of  their  streams,  a  current  of 
Water  into  the  sea,  beyond  the  points  of  land  that  form  tneir 
Embouchures  ;  when  by  the  continued  resistance  of  the  sea, 
thev  at  last  lose  their  motion.  I'he  mud  and  land  suspiaded 
in  these  waters  during  their  motion,  are  deposited  wneil  that 
motion  ceases  ;  or  rather,  they  are  gradually  deposited,  aa 
the  current  slackens,  according  to  the  gravity  of  the  substan- 
ces that  are  sispende  1.  This  depositi  jn,  then,  will  form  a 
bank  -^r  shallow,  in  the  sea  ;  anfl  whic.i  will  be  of  a  Fan-hke 
shape^  c  jnsistentlv  with  the  form,  in  which  the  water  of  rile 
River  disperses  itself.  This  baak  is  of  very  considerable 
'.)ieadLh,  and  of  course,  is  constantly  on  tiie  increas*^  in  hcighth, 
as  well  as  extension  ;  and  the  additions  made  to  its  !)readtli 
will  be  on  the  side  towards  the  sea.  Until  the  bank  tises  ip 
near  t  >  the  surface,  the  river  water  which  is  poured  continu- 
ally in':o  the  sea,  escapes  freely  over  it  ;  but  when  the  baaic 
has  risen  so  high,  is  to  inclose  the  v/  iter  in  a  kind  of  Lake 
it  is  thsa  compelled  to   forc-  its  way  through  the  bank  i  aU 

L 


$-6        .  INTERNAL  IMt-ROVEMESlS 

though  the  passage  will  be  both  narrow  and  shallow',  whilst. 
tht:  bank  remains  under  water.  1  iiis  passage  is  tecluiicaily 
nanned  a  Bar  ;  tor  sucn  it  is,  in  respect  oi  the  channel  oi  liic 
River,   although  it  be  the  deepest  part  ot  liie  entrance  to  it. 

"•  1  he  position  ot  this  opening  through  tne  bank,  vvili  l>c 
regulated  by  the  direction  ot  the  stream  of  the  Hiver,  at  it'^ 
termination  in  the  sea  ;  and  this  direction  agaui,  by  the  pre- 
valent motion  ot  the  sea  alorsg  the  coast  ;  the  mouth  ot  the 
River  ahvays  falling  obliquely  into  the  line  ot  the  sea  current. 
Accordingly,  when  the  River  enters  the  sea  obliquely,  the  bar 
will  be  at  one  side  of  the  bank  ;  and  on  that  siae  which  is 
the  farthest  down,  in  respect  of  the  sea  current.  Hut  u  the 
River  enter  the  sea,  in  a  line  perpendicular  to  its  E-hore,  the 
opening  or  bar  will  be  through  the  miudlc  of  the  i3ank. 

*'  As  the  bank  rises  to  the  surface,  the  optiung  increases 
in  depth  and  width,  until  it  becomes  absolutely  a  cuntinuauon 
of  the  course  of  the  River  ;  since  its  waters  require  the  same 
breadth  and  d^pth  to  escape  here,  as  in  the  ujjper  parts  oj  its 
course.  And  tlius  the  upper  part  of  the  bank  becomes  gradual- 
ly a  portion  ot  the  firm  land,  whilst  the  outer  part  goes  on  ac- 
cumulating, and  the  bar  is  gradually  removed  further  out;  in 
elfect,  there  will  be  a  repetition"of  the  same  order  of  things. 
And  hence  it  will  clearly  appear,  that  the  bank  thus  laid  in  the 
current  of  the  River,  is,  in  reality,  the  germ  ol  the  giowiiig 
alluvion. 

"  The  bars  are  usually  sv/ept  away  every  season,  by  the 
periodical  flood  :  which,  although  it  cannot  rise  to  a  higher 
level  than  the  sea,  is  increased  in  velocity,  by  the  increase  of 
the  i)ody  of  water,  above  ;  and  also  by  that  of  its  descent  :  as 
the  flood  swells  to  a  greater  height  alcove,  and,  thcrdore  iorms 
a  slope  towards  the  sea.  These  floods  also  bring  the  great- 
est addition  to  the  growing  alluvion  ;  and  not  unfrequently^ 
(phange  the  direction  of  the  channel,  and  with  it,  ot  course, 
the  position  of  the  bar  ;  their  depositions  being  laid  farther 
out  in  the  sea,  by  reason  of  the  greater  vtlocit)  of  the  cur- 
Sf  nt. 

"  Having  endeavored  to  explain  the  mode  in  which  the  al 
luvion  gains  on  the  sea,  we  shall   next  endeavour  to  explain 
the  manner  in  which  the  changes  and  modifications  of  the  ex- 
isting alluvions  are  wrought. 

**  The  alluvions  thus  formed  in  the  sea,  are.  In  tht-ir  original 
state,  flat,  and  are  also  on  a  level  with  the  ordinary  surface  of 
the  sea;  but  as  the  surge  repels  that  part  of  the  deposited 
Blatter,  which  rises  to  the  surface,  it  will  be  raised  somewhat 
^bove  the  level  :  and  as  this  agency  has  regularlv  operated 
>£>::  all  ths  neT>'=made  alluvion^  it  must  have  formed  one  con- 


(jF  NOriTH-CAROLINA.  ^>' 

tiivied  level,  but  for  the  interposition  of  the  periodical  floods, 
waich  have  form  d  u  into  a  regular  slope,  corresponding  With 
tiuir  own. 

*'  \s  toe  alluvion  then,  is  extended  into  the  sea,  so  is  its 
k'Vci  ■^riidoaUy  raised  into  a  slope  :  an  operation  that  is  con- 
s,'.auUy  gor.sij,-  forward,  but  w;iicn  cannot  keep  pace  witn  the 
exLcnsiou,  because  every  addition  to  it  occusious  a  deficiency 
in  the  slope. 

*'  iJatil  the  new  formed  alluvion  was  considerably  raised,  it 
mast  have  partaken  very  much  of  the  character  given  it  by 
Herodotus  ;  who  says,  that  in  ancient  times,  ••  The  vvnole  of 
E^ypt,  except  the  province  of  FheOes,  was  one  extended 
marsh  ;  and  when  the  xSTue  rose  to  the  hcignt  ol  eight  cuoits, 
all  the  lands  above  Meiiijihis  were  oversowed.'  Tnese  tra- 
ditions clearly  point  to  a  state  of  thiagfs  tn.it  nad  existed,  al- 
th  jjjjh  probably  at  a  period  too  remote  to  be  nxed :  For 
there  must  have  been  a  tine  when  the  D.lta  was  not  only  a 
marsh,  bat  was  even  covered  wiih  vrater  ;  and  when  the  sea 
must  have  advanced  so  near  to  ths  scite  of  Jvl^iinpais,  as  to 
allow  th.i  annual  il  jod  to  rise  no  tiigner  than  ciyai  cubits,  or 
twelve  to  fourteen  feet  at  that  place,  rleroiocus  remirics, 
that  it  rose  fif.een  or  sixteen  cubits  in  nis  ti.ne  ;  whtch  was  the 
natural  progress  of  thln^js,  as  the  point  of  contact  ot  the  land 
waters,  and   tbose  of  the   sea   was   reauved  iurther  out. 

"  So  long  as  the  alluvion  of  tae  Delta  remained  m  the  state 
of  a  marsh,  the  waters  of  the  Nile,  through  die  want  of  decli- 
vity ta  carry  them  off,  and  the  pressure  of  the  sea  water  from 
wittiout,  when  the  Kiver  was  low,  may  be  supposed  to  have 
iormed  a  tissue  of  Canals,  interspersed  witlx  Lakes  and 
Marshes  —  But  when  the  land  began  to  acquire  some  solidity 
in  the  upper  parts  of  the  D.dta,  Canals,  in  the  nature  of  drains, 
v/>uld  be  formed  by  the  hands  of  man,  and  Dyk-^s  raised  along 
the  banks  of  Rivers,  in  order  to  exclude  the  redundant  waters 
from  the  appropriated  lands.  And  this  is  probably  the  period 
referred  to  by  Herodotus,  when  he  describes  '  the  \Mb  t  and 
naaierous  Canals  by  which  Egypt  is  intersected  ;'  and  which 
he  attributes  to  Sesosiris.  He  was  also  told  that  the  same 
Prince  made  a  regular  distribution  of  the  lands  of  Egypt,  as- 
signing to  each  Egyptian  a  square  piece  of  ground  :  and  that 
his  revenues  were  drawn  froni  the  rent  which  every  indivi- 
dual annually  paid  him. 

*'  As  the  land  rose  by  depositions,  the  v/aters  would  naturally 
confine  themselves  to  fewer  channels  ;  since  the  land  in  a  fir- 
mer state,  would  require  a  greater  force  to  divide  it.  At  a 
time  when  the  upper  part  of  the  Delta  had  acquired  si  degree 


88  INf RilNAL  IMPKOVEMEiSFTB 

oT  fiimness  and  ckvation,  we  Karn  fiom  lit.  rodotus,  ihn, 
three  naluial  channels  conveyed  ihe  waters  oi  tlie  Nik-  to  the 
neighborhood  ol  lite  sea  :  a  quarter  in  which  the  alluvial  land 
must  ever  be  regarded  as  in  an  imperieet  state  of  ionnaiion. 
At  present,  two  t>nl}  convey  those  waters  to  the  same  quar- 
ter, during  the  season  when  the  Rivtr  is  not  swolen  ,*  anu  one 
ol  these  is  growing  shallow  —  Can  it  be  doubted,  then,  that  a 
Delta  is  (comparai-ivcty  speakmg)  land  in  an  iniperfect  state 
of  formation  ;  thai  the  natural  progress  towards  completion, 
is  that  ot  the  Rivers,  confining  itself  to  ltW(.r  channels  : 
and  that  the  inundation,  from  being  a  complete  mass  of  wa« 
ter,  spread  untfoinrdy  over  the  country,  becomes  rtierely  an 
overflowing  of  the  kiver,  extending  to  a  certain  distance,  and 
fojmingthe  country  adjacent  to  e.ich  bank,  into  a  slope  of  bc- 
veral  miles  in  breadth,  of  which  the  highest  partis  the  crest  of 
the  bank  itself,  from  the  circumstance  of  its  depositing  more 
sediment  near  the  bark,  than  at  a  distance  from  it? — But  as 
long  as  the  alluvion  continued  too  fiat  to  c(>mmunicate  a  snf- 
ficient  velocity  to  the  Hiver,  when  in  its  low  state,  it  would 
continue  to  separate  itself  into  many  d  ifFe rent  streams,  althfugti 
one  of  them  would  pvo!)ably  surpass  all  the  rest  in  i)ulk.  On 
the  above  princijiles,  then,  as  the  greater  slope  extends  itself 
downwards,  the  Delta  ought  to  retire  from  it  ;  or  in  other 
words,  the  River,  in  its  coiirse  through  the  high  level,  should 
flow  unique;  and  the  base  of  the  Delta  should  gradually  con= 
tract ;   and  this  satisfactorily  appears  to  have  been  the  case." 

These  observations  of  Major  Kennel  explain  the  manner  in 
which  the  Southern  and  Eastern  parts  of  this  State  have  brea 
formed  ;  and  the)  will  aid  us  in  iorming  opinions  as  to  the 
future  probable  condition  of  the  Inlets  on  our  Coast.  This 
subject  has  received  new  illustrations  from  Monsieur  Proney, 
Director  General  of  the  Public  Works  of  France.  Some  time 
ago,  he  visited  Italy  by  direction  of  the  late  Emperor,  to  vit-w 
the  Pontine  Marshes  near  Rome,  and  report  upon  the  pr.icti- 
cability  of  draining  them.  Whilst  in  Italy,  his  attention  was 
also  directed  to  the  Rivtrs  of  that  countrv,  particularly  the 
Adige  and  the  Po.  He  published  an  Essay  upon  the  alluvions 
of  the  Rivers  of  Italy,  which  Monsieur  Cnivter  has  annexed 
to  his  work  on  the  Theory  of  the  P'arlh.  Tnis  Essay  contains 
facts  and  reasonings  which  will  be  found  highly  interesting  to 
men  engaged  in  public  works,  on  a  coast  that  is  affected  by  al- 
luvions. 

FINIS.